INHIBITORY EFFECT OF DENTAL LASERS ON THE GROWTH AND THE FUNCTION OF STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS

This was performed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of laser on the growth of S. mutans. The bacterial pallets containing S. mutans KCTC 3065 were irradiated with Er:YAG laser and Nd :YAG laser by non-contact method at an intensity of 50mJ for 5 sec with the pulse repetition rates of 10Hz and 30Hz, respectively. The following results were obtained on colony count, acid producing ability, and the amount of insoluble extracellular polysaccharide synthesis. 1. The irradiation of Nd:YAG laser after photosensitization with Chinese ink inhibited the proliferation of S. mutans the most, and the irradiation of Er:YAG also inhibited the proliferation. However, the irradiation of Nd:YAG laser alone could not inhibited the proliferation of S. mutans. The pulse repetition rate did not affect significantly on the proliferation of bacteria in overall. 2. The irradiation of Nd:YAG laser after the photosensitization with Chinese ink inhibited the acid production of S. mutans the most for a certain period of time. Er:YAG laser also inhibited acid production. When Nd:YAG laser was used alone, the acid production of S. mutans was not been inhibited. The irradiation of Nd:YAG laser after photosensitization with Chinese ink inhibited the acid production ability of bacteria the most as the pulse repetition rate increased. 3. Laser irradiation did not inhibited the synthesis of insoluble extracellular polysaccharide of S. mutans. From these results, we conclude that the irradiation of Er:YAG laser and Nd:YAG laser after photosensitization with Chinese ink would inhibit the proliferation and acid production by S. mutans, which may prevent dental caries. However, this effect does not last long time so that the laser irradiation should be repeated frequently in order to obtain clinical effect; thus, this laser irradiation would not have a clinical usefulness in preventing dental caries when used solely.