The Effect of Er:YAG Laser on Entroccocus faecalis Bacterium in the Pulpectomy of Anterior Primary Teeth

Abstract Introduction: Successful root canal therapy depends on the complete elimination of micro-organisms such as Entroccocus faecalis, which is impossible to achieve with the traditional methods. Lasers are recently introduced as a new method to solve the problem. The present study is planned and performed to examining the antibacterial effect of Er: YAG laser.Methods: Sixty extracted anterior primary teeth were prepared and sterilized. E. faecalis bacterium was cultured in canals. Samples were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was disinfected by NaOCl ۵/۲۵% and Er: YAG laser and the second group just by NaOCl ۵/۲۵%. Samples of canal contents were cultured and colony counts were calculated. The results were analyzed statistically by SPSS software and Mann Whitney test.Results: There was no significant difference between colony counts in both groups (P = ۰.۱۴۲). But the number of colonies in the first group was lower than in the second group.Conclusion: Although, Er: YAG laser cannot completely eliminate E. faecalis bacterium, its simultaneous use with NaOCl decreases E. faecalis. Keywords: Er YAG Deciduous Incisor Antibacterial Pulpectomy