A three-dimensional evaluation of microleakage of class V cavities prepared by the very short pulse mode of the erbium:yttrium–aluminium–garnet laser

The aim of this study was to evaluate microleakage along resin restoration in cavities prepared with an erbium:yttrium–aluminium–garnet (Er:YAG) laser, with and without acid etching, and to compare it with that in diamond-drilled cavities. Thirty intact molars were divided into three equal groups. In the teeth in group I, class V cavities were prepared with a diamond drill. Cavities in groups II and III were prepared with an Er:YAG laser (400 mJ/15 Hz for enamel and 250 mJ/10 Hz for dentine). The cavities in groups I and II were acid-etched and adhesive and flowable composite were applied to all cavities. The specimens were first immersed in dye for 24 h and then in 5% nitric acid for 72 h for softening. The fillings were extracted and photographed through a dissecting microscope. The leakage area was measured with specially designed software. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed that the best ranking was group II [mean range (m.r.) = 27.46], followed by group I (m.r. = 33.48) and, lastly, group III (m.r. = 45.15). The differences between groups I and III (P = 0.023) and between groups II and III were statistically significant (P = 0.080). The least microleakage was found in those cavities prepared by Er:YAG laser and subsequently acid-etched, whereas the most leakage was in the lased cavities that had not been etched; the traditional diamond-drilled acid-etched cavities produced medium leakage.