Fissure caries inhibition with a CO2-9.3 µm short-pulsed laser: a randomized, single blind, split mouth controlled, one-year clinical trial

The objective of this randomized, split-mouth controlled, clinical trial was to evaluate whether the use of a short-pulsed 9.3µm CO2-laser increases the caries resistance of occlusal pit and fissures in addition to fluoride therapy over 12-months. 60 participants were enrolled. Second molars were randomized into test and control. Test molars were irradiated with a 9.3μm CO2-laser. Test molars received laser and fluoride treatment, control teeth fluoride alone. 57 participants completed the 6-month, 51 the 12-month recall. Laser treated surfaces showed very slight ICDAS improvements. Control teeth showed significantly higher ICDAS increases. Differences in ICDAS-changes between the groups were statistically significant. A total of 22% of the participants developed ICDAS-3 scores on the control teeth. Microsecond short-pulsed 9.3µm CO2-laser irradiation markedly inhibits caries progression in pits and fissures in comparison to fluoride varnish alone.