Comparison of the Clinical Efficacy of Er:YAG Laser in Caries Removal and Traditional Rotary Drill

Aisaiti Adila; Yuan Xiyu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-5775.2025.01.007

Abstract：Objective:The results of Er:YAG laser and traditional needle removal in clinical application were compared to provide evidence-based reference for the selective application of different removal techniques in clinical cases.Methods:After searching the electronic databases,including PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,CNKI,CBM,VIP and Wanfang Data,randomized controlled clinical studies comparing the effect of Er:YAG laser and traditional needle decay removal published from 1997 to December 2022 were searched.2 reviewers selected papers according to inclusion criteria,extracted data and evaluated the methodological quality of included studies,and then meta-analysis was performed with Stata 15.0 software.Results:12 RCT studies involved 1 084 patients were included in this study.According to the results of Meta-analysis:despite the time of cavity preparation by Er:YAG laser was longer than that of traditional rotary methods[SMD=1.14,95%CI(0.42,1.85),P＜0.001].Patients experienced less painful in laser group than those who in the control group[SMD=-1.14,95%CI(-1.99,-0.90),P＜0.001].The complete retention rate(Z=3.18,P=0.001)and marginal adaptation(Z=2.78,P=0.005)in laser group was statistically higher than control one.There was no statistically significance in the marginal discoloration between two groups(Z=1.51,P=0.130).Conclusion:Er:YAG laser can effectively reduce the pain of patients during the procedure of caries removal and cavity preparation,especially in patients with anxiety in the dental treatment.