Influence of Er:YAG Laser on Objective and Subjective Parameters of Stress During Sealant Application in Children

Background: Acceptance of lasers as alternatives and accessory tools to traditional methods in dental medicine has created an explosion of interest. Er:YAG laser is recommended for enamel conditioning. There is no study evaluating the anxiety in children during fissure sealing procedures when using Er:YAG laser compared to the routine application technique.

Aim: To evaluate the objective and subjective stress parameters in children during a preventive procedure when using Er:YAG laser for additional enamel conditioning before pit and fissure sealant application compared to the routine clinical application technique.

Materials And Methods: The study included sixty-four 6-12-year-old children, divided into two equal treatment groups. A standardized fissure sealant application was performed, as in the intervention group before acid etching, the occlusal surfaces of teeth were conditioned with Er:YAG laser (2940 nm). During the procedure, objective and subjective stress parameters were recorded.

Results: Significantly lower degree of dental anxiety was found at the end of the dental visit of the study group (p<0.001). During the professional cleaning of the tooth surface, the mean heart rate was low (95.55±14.29 bpm) within the physiological normal range. The objective and subjective stress parameters show no significant differences between the two subgroups during sealing procedure (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Application of Er:YAG laser during sealant application does not provoke anxiety and is well accepted by children in dental environment. Preventive procedures at the beginning of a dental visit decrease the initial levels of dental anxiety and contribute to an effective treatment process.