Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Laser-Enhanced Disinfection in Endodontic Therapy
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Ethical Considerations
2.2. Diagnostic Criteria
2.3. Endodontic Treatment Protocol
2.4. Laser Disinfection Protocol
2.5. CBCT Imaging and Assessment
- -
- Volumetric lesion size: calculated from three-dimensional measurements across buccal-lingual, mesial-distal, and coronal-apical axes.
- -
- CBCT Periapical Index (CBCT-PAI): scored according to Estrela et al. [3] to assess lesion progression or regression.
- -
- Bone density classification: assigned based on Misch’s D1–D5 system to evaluate healing potential relative to bone quality.
2.6. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Baseline Characteristics and Initial Lesion Distribution
- -
- Well-defined radiolucent lesions: 76 cases (63.3%)
- -
- Chronic apical periodontitis: 44 cases (36.7%)
- -
- Experimental group (chemical irrigation + Er,Cr:YSGG laser disinfection): 6.42 ± 1.23 mm
- -
- Control group (chemical irrigation only): 6.51 ± 1.18 mm
- -
- D1 (dense cortical bone): 11%
- -
- D2 (thick trabecular bone): 21%
- -
- D3 (intermediate trabecular bone): 28%
- -
- D4 (sparse trabecular bone): 30%
- -
- D5 (low density/osteoporotic bone): 10%
3.2. Lesion Size Evolution over Time
3.3. Lesion Type and Healing Outcome
3.4. Healing Outcome by Bone Density
3.5. CBCT-PAI Score Reduction
3.6. Representative Imaging and Healing Patterns
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Time Interval | Experimental Group | Control Group | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|
Baseline | 6.42 ± 1.23 | 6.51 ± 1.18 | 0.812 |
6 Months | 4.21 ± 0.98 | 5.13 ± 1.02 | 0.041 |
1 Year | 2.85 ± 0.82 | 4.02 ± 1.01 | 0.008 |
2 Years | 1.49 ± 0.64 | 2.83 ± 0.88 | 0.003 |
2.5 Years | 0.85 ± 0.32 | 1.92 ± 0.56 | 0.002 |
Lesion Type | Experimental Group | Control Group | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|
Well-defined radiolucent lesions | 89.5% (68/76) | 68.4% (52/76) | 0.027 |
Undefined lesions | 81.8% (36/44) | 59.1% (26/44) | 0.043 |
Bone Density | Experimental Group | Control Group | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|
D1 | 98% | 98% | 1.000 |
D2 | 95% | 85% | 0.088 |
D3 | 90% | 72% | 0.032 |
D4 | 75% | 50% | 0.019 |
D5 | 55% | 35% | 0.009 |
Time Interval | Experimental Group | Control Group | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|
Baseline | 4.3 ± 0.7 | 4.2 ± 0.8 | 0.76 |
6 Months | 3.1 ± 0.6 | 3.8 ± 0.7 | 0.041 |
1 Year | 2.0 ± 0.5 | 3.1 ± 0.6 | 0.008 |
2 Years | 1.1 ± 0.4 | 2.4 ± 0.5 | 0.002 |
2.5 Years | 0.7 ± 0.2 | 1.8 ± 0.4 | 0.001 |
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Kantor, J.; Bucur, S.M.; Bud, E.S.; Nimigean, V.; Crișan, I.M.; Păcurar, M. Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Laser-Enhanced Disinfection in Endodontic Therapy. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 4055. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14124055
Kantor J, Bucur SM, Bud ES, Nimigean V, Crișan IM, Păcurar M. Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Laser-Enhanced Disinfection in Endodontic Therapy. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(12):4055. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14124055
Chicago/Turabian StyleKantor, Janos, Sorana Maria Bucur, Eugen Silviu Bud, Victor Nimigean, Ioana Maria Crișan, and Mariana Păcurar. 2025. "Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Laser-Enhanced Disinfection in Endodontic Therapy" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 12: 4055. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14124055
APA StyleKantor, J., Bucur, S. M., Bud, E. S., Nimigean, V., Crișan, I. M., & Păcurar, M. (2025). Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Laser-Enhanced Disinfection in Endodontic Therapy. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(12), 4055. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14124055