Effects of CO2 Laser Treatment on Fibroblast Attachment to Root Surfaces. A Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis

• Published in: Journal of periodontology (1970) Vol. 73; no. 11; pp. 1308 - 1312
• Main Authors: Crespi, R., Barone, A., Covani, U., Ciaglia, R.N., Romanos, G.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 737 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60611‐2690, USA American Academy of Periodontology 01-11-2002
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Bacteria - radiation effects; Carbon Dioxide; Cell Adhesion - radiation effects; comparison studies; Dental Scaling - instrumentation; Dentistry; Fibroblasts - physiology; Humans; L Cells (Cell Line); Laser Therapy; Lasers/therapeutic use; Low-Level Light Therapy; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Periodontal Diseases - therapy; planing; Random Allocation; scaling; Surface Properties - radiation effects; tooth root; Tooth Root - microbiology; Tooth Root - radiation effects; Ultrasonic Therapy
• ISSN: 0022-3492; 1943-3670
• DOI: 10.1902/jop.2002.73.11.1308

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the CO2 laser effects on root surfaces affected by periodontal disease in comparison to scaling and root planing for fibroblast attachment.
Methods: Thirty single‐rooted human teeth extracted because of advanced periodontal disease were included in this study. A total of 60 specimens, obtained from all selected teeth, were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 1) control (untreated); 2) hand scaling and root planing (SRP); or 3) laser (CO2 defocused pulsed) and ultrasonic scaling. All the specimens were incubated in Petri dishes with fibroblast suspension, and then observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Results: The control group showed the lowest number of attached cells, with no tightly attached fibroblasts. The laser plus scaling group showed the highest number of attached fibroblasts, with the tightly attached fibroblast prevailing. The lasertreated and scaled root specimens did not show any damage or morphologic alteration of the root surfaces.
Conclusion: CO2 laser treatment in defocused, pulsed mode with a low power of 2W combined with mechanical instrumentation constitutes a useful tool to condition the root surface and increase fibroblast attachment to root surfaces. J Periodontol 2002;73:1308‐1312.