Temperature elevation on the root surface during Nd:YAG laser irradiation in the root canal.

Nd:YAG lasers have been suggested as a potential tool in endodontic therapy because of their sterilizing and sealing effects on the dentinal tubules. However, the generation of heat in the root canal by laser irradiation may produce potentially harmful effects on adjacent tissues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temperature elevation on the root surface when Nd:YAG laser was irradiated in the root canal. The apical third area of 90 single-rooted teeth were irradiated with normal pulsed Nd:YAG laser (50, 80, 100, 150, and 200 mJ/pulse; 20, 25, and 30 pulses/s). The temperature elevation was measured and recorded on the root surface simultaneously. The temperature elevation did not exceed 10 degrees C only when the laser energy output was below 100 mJ/pulse and under 20 pulses/s.