Clinical application of Er:YAG laser and traditional dental turbine in caries removal in children.

Abstract

This study compares the clinical efficacy of erbium-doped:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser and traditional dental turbine in caries removal in children. The study cohort comprised 78 children aged 5 to 10 years with caries in two symmetrical maxillary molars. Different carious sides of the same child were randomly divided into control and observed sides. For each child, the caries on the control side were treated with a traditional dental turbine, while the observed side was treated with an Er:YAG laser. The study evaluated the use of anesthetics, pain levels, tooth hypersensitivity and the occurrence and severity of tooth fractures during caries removal with different methods. Additionally, the clinical anxiety and cooperative behavior of the children were observed. The time required for caries removal and cavity preparation by both methods was recorded, and the success rate of treatment was assessed after one year of follow-up. The results indicated a significant reduction in the use of anesthetics, pain and the incidence and severity of tooth hypersensitivity with the use of Er:YAG laser (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the occurrence of tooth fractures between the two groups (p > 0.05). The children treated with Er:YAG laser demonstrated better clinical anxiety levels and cooperative behavior. However, the time required for cavity preparation was longer with the use of Er:YAG laser (p < 0.05). After a 12-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in the success rate of treatment between the two groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, compared to the traditional dental turbine, the use of Er:YAG laser improves treatment comfort and cooperation in children with caries and reduces the need for intraoperative anesthetics.