[Laser technology for removal of caries]

Tranaeus S
Record ID 32009100267
Swedish
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
Details
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
MeSH Terms
  • Laser Therapy
  • Lasers
  • Technology, Dental
Contact
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)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.