Abstract
Objective A randomised controlled trial to determine the acceptability to dentists and patients of cavity preparation with an Erbium:YAG laser as compared with conventional handpieces.
Methods Fifteen dentists (9 GDPs, 1 community dentist and 5 hospital dentists) treated 77 patients (age range 3.5–68 years old) who had two matched cavities, in a split mouth, randomised trial. One cavity was prepared conventionally, the other with the laser, with dentist and patient preference determined by questionnaire.
Results In the majority of cases, where dentists expressed a preference, it was for conventional cavity preparation, and this was significant (p < 0.001). In more than half of the laser appointments, dentists had to use conventional handpieces to complete the cavity. Principle difficulties reported with the laser were access (25 cases) and slow speed of cutting (11 cases). Patients aged ≥10 years who expressed a preference, preferred laser treatment, and this was significant (p < 0.001). Patients aged <10 years, assessed using a simplified pictorial questionnaire, did not show a significant preference for either technique.
Conclusions Dentists preferred conventional handpieces for cavity preparation while patients aged ≥10 years old preferred laser treatment. Patients <10 years old did not express a preference.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Richard Whatley, Richard Collard and Vic Peterson of KaVo (UK) Ltd for their exceptional generosity and support for this study. Professor Pitts and Dr Nugent acknowledge support from the Chief Scientist's Office of the Scottish Office. The views expressed above are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Scottish Office.
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Evans, D., Matthews, S., Pitts, N. et al. A clinical evaluation of an Erbium:YAG laser for dental cavity preparation. Br Dent J 188, 677–679 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800575
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800575
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