Author :
Zakir Husain
Volume :
3
Issue :
2
Abstract :
Abstract Background: Traditional mechanical methods for cavity preparation, while effective, are often associated with patient discomfort and anxiety due to the noise and vibrations produced by rotary tools. Laser technology offers a potential alternative that may reduce these negative aspects and improve patient experience and treatment outcomes. Objective: To compare the efficacy of laser technology with traditional rotary instruments in dental cavity preparation in terms of patient comfort, procedure duration, use of local anesthesia, intraoperative complications, and the precision of cavity margins. Methods: This randomized controlled trial involved 100 participants requiring cavity preparation, who were assigned either to a laser treatment group or a traditional treatment group. Patient comfort was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and procedural variables such as duration and anesthesia usage were recorded. Cavity margin precision was evaluated through digital imaging. Results: The laser group reported significantly lower VAS scores, indicating reduced discomfort (2.3 ± 1.2) compared to the traditional group (5.7 ± 1.5) (p < 0.001). Laser treatments also required less time (4.2 ± 0.8 minutes vs. 6.5 ± 1.1 minutes, p < 0.001) and reduced the use of local anesthesia (20% vs. 76%, p < 0.001). Fewer intraoperative complications were reported in the laser group (4% vs. 18%, p = 0.037). However, there were no significant differences in long-term outcomes such as the integrity of restoration margins between the two groups. Conclusions: Laser technology in dental cavity preparation significantly improves patient comfort and reduces procedure duration and anesthesia requirements compared to traditional rotary instruments. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness to fully establish the role of lasers in clinical dentistry. Keywords: Laser dentistry, cavity preparation, patient comfort, dental technology, randomized controlled trial, dental treatment outcomes.