Authors' objectives:

To evaluate the scientific evidence on laser technology in removing carious tissue.

Authors' recommendations: Limited scientific evidence suggests that laser is as effective as rotary bur in removing carious tissue. Treatment time is prolonged. Limited scientific evidence suggests that adults prefer laser treatment. No conclusions can be drawn regarding biological or technical complications, children’s perception of laser treatment, or cost effectiveness of the method. Three medium-quality studies evaluated erbium laser in cavity preparation and caries excavation. Time required to remove carious tissue was evaluated in 5 studies assessed as medium quality for this outcome. Four studies included the effect of laser treatment on dental pulp as an outcome, but quality was assessed as low due to short follow-up time. Two studies, which included longevity of the restoration as an outcome, were also assessed as having low quality due to inadequate follow-up time. Three studies that evaluated patient response were assessed as having medium quality with respect to this outcome. The economic model showed that compared to excavation by rotary bur, laser excavation increases the cost by about 31 euros.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: www.sbu.se/200903e

Year Published: 2009

URL for published report: www.sbu.se/200903

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Sweden

Organisation Name: Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services

Contact Address: P.O. Box 3657, SE-103 59 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: +46 8 4123200, Fax: +46 8 4113260

Contact Name: registrator@sbu.se

Contact Email: registrator@sbu.se

Copyright: Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU)