Analysis of the morphology and composition of tooth apices apicectomized using three different ablation techniques.

OBJECTIVES To investigate apicectomies performed using burs, a CO2 laser or an Er:YAG laser and to evaluate the following aspects: morphology of apicectomized surfaces, presence of failures at the dentin/obturation material interface (marginal fit) of the apical portions of the root canals, and the proportions of chemical elements in the apicectomized surfaces. STUDY DESIGN Twenty-four teeth were divided into three groups of eight and each group underwent apicectomy by one of three different ablation techniques: bur, CO2 laser or Er:YAG laser. The morphology of the apicectomized surfaces was then analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and their chemical composition was analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. RESULTS Surfaces produced with ablation by bur exhibited less surface irregularities and better marginal fit, while ablation with the CO2 laser caused intense surface carbonization and failures in obturation material fit. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that, taking into consideration their clinical application, ablation of tooth apices using burs proved to be the best option among those tested here.