Context: Cavity disinfection is recommended with the routine caries removal methods in order to eliminate the microorganisms and to reduce potential secondary caries. Aims: The aims of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial effects of Corsodyl; Cervitec; Cervitec Plus; Fluor Protector agents and FotoSan; diode laser; and erbium, chromium: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) laser systems on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus as well as their effects on the microtensile bond strength. Materials and Methods: A cavity tooth model test was used to determine antibacterial activity after which the effects of the same agents and systems on the microtensile bond strength were evaluated. Eight cylindrical cavities were prepared on the dentin surface of 24 bovine incisors, and 12 of them were left in contact with S. mutans; others were left in contact with L. acidophilus. Test agents and systems were applied, and standardized amounts of dentin chips were obtained from the cavity walls. The number of bacteria recovered was counted. The effect of tested agents and systems on bond strength was evaluated with microtensile bond strength test. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was carried out using the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests for the cavity tooth model test, and one-way ANOVA and Tukey test for microtensile bond strength test. Results: Test results showed that all of the disinfection methods demonstrated significant antibacterial activity on both S. mutans and L. acidophilus (P < 0.01). The agents used in this study significantly reduced the microtensile bond strength (P < 0.05) whereas the Er, Cr:YSGG laser significantly increased the bond strength (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Er, Cr:YSGG laser can be recommended for cavity disinfection due to its superior antibacterial activity and increased bond strength.

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Aim: Laser dentistry is one of the latest, precise, and minimally invasive tools being explored in dentistry. The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge and perceived adequacy of information of lasers in dentistry among the dental interns in Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted in Karnataka among the dental students who were in their fifth year of the course. The questionnaire consisted of two main parts: first part included use and applications of dental lasers, and second part included source and need of information regarding the laser. Total of 1000 questionnaires were distributed among the students, and finally, 727 completely filled questionnaires were considered for the study. Results: A majority of the students (79%) were not provided with adequate knowledge during their Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) curriculum and 53% of the students were interested in procuring the additional information about lasers. It was found that the knowledge regarding lasers was satisfactory only regarding the types and benefits of lasers. The knowledge regarding applications of lasers in various fields of dentistry was below satisfactory. Conclusion: The dental interns of Karnataka feel that the laser education provided to them during their BDS course was insufficient. Most of the surveyed interns were found to be having either insufficient knowledge or incorrect notion about lasers.

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Abnormal/aberrant frenum is very common and causes various problems in function and aesthetics. It is managed by procedures such as frenotomy and frenectomy. Lasers are currently becoming popular in various fields of dentistry and provide alternative to conventional scalpel procedures. In recent years, lasers such as CO₂, Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, Erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet, and diode have been used for frenectomy. In this paper, we present a case of diode laser frenectomy and review various studies and reports conducted on diode laser frenectomy.

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Oral leukoplakia (OL) is one of the most common physiologic as well as pathologic white lesions in oral cavity. Of the many variants of OL, chronic hyperplastic candidosis, also called candidal leukoplakia (CL), is associated with Candida yeast species, which generally is an opportunistic microbe of normal oral microbiota. Many published cases and researches suggest a positive role of Candida albicans as potential culprit in malignant transformation of leukoplakia to squamous cell carcinomas at molecular level as trigger at cell signaling pathway. This article describes a case report of CL in the light of current information with clinical and histological aspect in a young patient, which was successfully treated with CO₂ laser. This article also makes an attempt to provide and update the knowledge about potential malignant disorders such as leukoplakia and cofactors such as candidiasis superimposed to leukoplakia to health-care providers in order to help in early detection and treatment, thus decreasing mortality.

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Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a tumor-like nonneoplastic hyperplastic lesion of oral cavity occurring in response to various stimuli, of which chronic irritation and hormones influence pathogenesis predominantly. Lesion has high vascularity with numerous capillaries with severe bleeding tendency even with slight touch. Surgical excision of the tissue is the treatment of choice for which lasers would be the preferred choice owing to its lesser intraoperative bleeding, superior coagulation ability, wound sterilization, minimal pain, invasiveness, and lack of need for suturing or packing with better postoperative healing. This case report is about a teenage girl with severe PG managed using diode laser.

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Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of potassium nitrate topical desensitizing agent with low-level laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were recruited for the study. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1, low-level laser irradiation for dentinal hypersensitivity; group 2, 5% potassium nitrate toothpaste topically; and group 3, low-level laser irradiation plus 5% potassium nitrate. Results: Pain was significantly reduced postoperatively in all three groups. Best pain reduction was for the laser and potassium nitrate group. No significant difference was observed with combination of low-power laser and potassium nitrate. Conclusion: Potassium nitrate and low-level laser irradiation proved equally effective for reducing dentinal hypersensitivity in patients. No significant advantage was observed with laser and potassium nitrate combination.

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