Clinical evaluation of dental hard tissue applications of carbon dioxide lasers.

This clinical study examined the pulpal safety of selected CO2 laser hard tissue applications. A total of 187 hard tissue procedures were performed on 54 patients. The mean period of follow-up following laser treatment was 13.5 months (range 2-24 months). The procedures included etching (n = 96), desensitizing (n = 56), laser-enhanced fluoride (n = 28), treatment of external resorption (n = 4), and pulp capping or pulpotomy (n = 3). Only the latter two procedure types were performed with anesthesia. The total irradiation received during these procedures ranged from 2 to 12 J. No patients complained of sensation or discomfort during any procedure. Pulp vitality was maintained in all teeth, and no instances of postlasing thermal sensitivity or pulpitis were reported. These results indicate that pulp vitality can be maintained provided that conditions of irradiance are controlled carefully to minimize thermal effects.