Temperature rise during photo-activated disinfection of root canals

• Published in: Lasers in medical science Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 81 - 85
• Main Authors: Dickers, B., Lamard, L., Peremans, A., Geerts, S., Lamy, M., Limme, M., Rompen, E., De Moor, R. J. G., Mahler, P., Rocca, J. P., Nammour, S.
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer-Verlag 2009; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Bacteria; Dental care; Dental Pulp Cavity - radiation effects; Dental research; Dentisterie & médecine buccale; Dentistry; Dentistry & oral medicine; Disinfection & disinfectants; Disinfection - methods; Endodontics; Human health sciences; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Laser; Lasers; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Optical Devices; Optics; Original Article; PDA; Photo-activated; Photonics; Photosensitizing Agents - pharmacology; Quantum Optics; Root canal; Sciences de la santé humaine; Temperature; PAD; Endodontics; Photo-activated; Root canal; Laser
• ISSN: 0268-8921; 1435-604X; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-007-0526-y

The aim of this study was to determine whether it is safe to use photo-activated disinfection (PAD) during root canal treatment without heating the periodontal tissues. Root canals of 30 freshly extracted single-rooted teeth were prepared using ProFiles up to size ISO 40 and then filled with photo-sensitiser: tolonium blue (1.2 mg/l). The 635 nm diode laser was used with the manufacturer’s endo-tip. Samples were irradiated for 150 s (output power 100 mW, approximate energy density 106.16 J/cm
2
). Temperatures were recorded at working length on the external root surface. After 150 s of PAD irradiation, the average temperature rise was 0.16 ± 0.08°C. All values were lower than the 7°C safety level for periodontal injury. It was concluded that, regarding the temperature increase, the use of PAD in root canals could be considered harmless for periodontal tissues.