BACKGROUND: This study examined the effect of roughening of the root surface using an erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser on the binding strength of teeth undergoing root canal treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety single-rooted teeth were used and assigned randomly to 9 groups (n=10 each). Root canals were prepared using the FlexMaster rotary system. An Er: YAG laser was applied to the root canals in Group 1, with no surface treatment of the glass-fiber post. In Group 2, aluminum oxide particles were applied. In Group 3, the laser was applied to the root canals, with Cojet treatment. Group 4 received laser treatment and Clearfil Ceramic Primer. In Group 5, Clearfil Ceramic Primer silane coupling was performed on post surfaces without laser treatment. In Group 6, hydrofluoric acid (HF) application was followed by Clearfil Ceramic Primer cementing of the glass post surfaces with laser application. In Group 7, HF acid treatment was performed without laser. In Group 8, the laser was applied, followed by sanding of post surfaces using Korox 50, and silane coupling with Clearfil Ceramic Primer. In Group 9, the post surfaces were sanded using Korox 50 with laser application to the root canals. The samples were subjected to a push-out experiment. The data were analyzed using Friedman’s test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS: A significant difference in bonding strength was found among the groups (p<0.005).

CONCLUSIONS: Use of an Er: YAG laser in the root canal may be beneficial prior to bonding of glass posts.

Keywords: Photoacoustic Techniques, Post and Core Technique, Smear Layer