Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical usefulness of Er:YAG laser for cavity preparation in children. Background Data: The conventional methods for cavity preparation instill fear and discomfort in pediatric patients. The Er:YAG laser is a new tool developed for cavity preparation; however, there are few reports of its clinical application. Materials and Methods: A clinical evaluation using an Er:YAG laser was carried out using 32 subjects (with 16 deciduous and 19 permanent teeth) with ages ranging from 2 to 12 years. All cavities were restored with light-cured composite resin following the application of bonding agent, but without acid etching or primer conditioning. Results: During laser treatment, the pediatric patients were very cooperative and hardly complained of any pain, and no tooth showed undesirable effects during the 3-year period of observation. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the results of this study that an Er:YAG laser would be a useful alternative method for cavity preparation for composite resin restoration in children.
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