Use of the Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of Early Childhood Caries.

AIM This was to demonstrate that traditional therapy of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) can be improved with the use of the Nd:YAG laser. METHODS This investigation was conducted on three 3 year-old children in which the four maxillary primary incisors were affected by ECC. The teeth were treated with the Nd:YAG laser and one unrestorable tooth for each child was extracted for investigation by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS The laser therapy provided several clinical advantages (reduction of dentine permeability and hypersensitivity, sterilization of the lased surface, and fluoride penetration within the tooth). Good patient compliance was also achieved due to the type of appliance and materials used, absence of noise and vibration, a lack of need for local analgesia, and the reduced number of brief appointments. CONCLUSION This approach to treatment of ECC permits teeth to be retained in the dental arch and delays the use of traditional methods to a later time when the child has reached an age sufficient for cooperation with the practitioner.