Influence of the EDTA, Nd:YAG laser and association of both on the filling of artificial lateral root canals.

This study aimed at evaluating the influence of EDTA, Nd:YAG laser and the combination of both for filling of artificial lateral root canals. Forty-five human mandibular premolars were employed, on which three artificial lateral root canals were prepared by means of a reamer with a similar diameter to a K file #15. The teeth were instrumented through the stepback technique employing Gates Glidden burs at the middle and cervical thirds and manual files at the apical portion, and irrigation with 1% sodium hypochloride. The teeth were divided in three groups: Group 1 -EDTA for 5 minutes; Group 2 -application of Nd:YAG laser at 15 Hz, 100 mJ and 1.5 Watts; and Group 3 - association of both. Roots were filled through the Tagger's hybrid technique, radiographed and the radiographs were digitized. Scores were assigned to the filling of the lateral root canals. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the entire groups and also on the analysis of each third.