A Light Microscopic Study Comparing Pulp Histological Alterations Following Tooth Preparation Using a High-speed Handpiece and an Er:YAG Laser

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Histological alterations were evaluated in this study after tooth preparation with carbide burs using a traditional handpiece and Er:YAG laser. Methods: Tooth preparation was done on 30 intact maxillary first premolars of healthy patients. Ten maxillary first premolars were used as control, wherein no tooth preparation was done. Box-shaped tooth preparation was done on the occlusal surface of maxillary first premolars using carbide bur in the handpiece and Er:YAG laser (n = 10). After performing the recommended procedure for different groups, each tooth was extracted and 4–5 μm thick sections were prepared and stained using H and E stains. A 4–40× microscope was used to examine the morphological alterations in the odontoblasts. The Chi-square test was used to compare the outcomes. Results: The high-speed drill group and the control group had statistically significant differences (P = 0.05). High-speed drill and laser group differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) Conclusion: The histological findings as seen with laser tooth preparation were nearly identical to those of control or nonmanipulated teeth under light microscope, whereas disruption of odontoblastic layer was seen with high-speed drills.