Effects of Laser Treatment on Endodontic Pathogen Enterococcus faecalis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective: The effects of laser on eradication of Enterococcus faecalis in the root canal are unclear. The purpose of this review was to explore the antimicrobial effects of laser radiation on E. faecalis. Methods: Using the combined search terms root canal, laser, antimicrobial, as inclusion and exclusion criteria, eligible articles were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and OVID by hand searching. The initial search yielded 4192 titles, and 162 articles were assigned to full text analysis. Upon classification of the data with regard to laser source, laser energy level and watt, duration of application, initial and final bacterial count, and rate of decrease in bacteria, p values were pooled and data were calculated using Fisher's Z method. The initial and final bacterial count, the standard deviation of data, and data expressed in logarithm were pooled and calculated using standardized difference in means method. In the event homogeneity was found between studies, the outcome of the fixed effect model was used, and if heterogeneity was found, the result of the random effect model was used. Results: A total of 12 articles were included. Er, Cr:YSGG, Nd:YAG, and KTP lasers and 1 and 1.5 W energy levels significantly reduced E. faecalis count. Conclusions: Despite the limited number of publications, the outcome of present meta-analytical assessment suggests that lasers are effective in eradication of E. faecalis.