A promising approach utilising photothermal energy to disinfect the root canal system: An in vitro investigation.

This study aimed to assess root canal disinfection through various irrigation protocols, including a novel photothermal system called 'LEAP'. Mandibular premolars were infected with Enterococcus faecalis and divided into five groups for different treatments: Group 1: standard needle irrigation; Group 2: passive ultrasonic irrigation; Group 3: GentleWave; Group 4: LEAP; and Group 5: Group 1 + Group 4. Microbial counts were measured before (S1) and after disinfection (S2) using colony-forming units (CFU) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results revealed a significant reduction in bacterial counts for all groups (p < 0.05). While the percentage of dead bacteria near the canal wall (0-50 μm) did not differ significantly, at 50-150 μm, LEAP and SNI + LEAP exhibited significantly higher bacterial reduction than other groups (p < 0.05). The findings indicate that LEAP is comparable to existing irrigation devices in the main root canal and notably superior in tubular disinfection.