Effects of Nd: YAG laser on tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and interferon-gamma levels in teeth with apical periodontitis: A clinical study.

This study aimed to evaluate the levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) with asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AP). A total of 60 participants were randomly divided into two groups: the conventional irrigation (control) and the Nd: YAG laser irradiation. The interstitial fluids were obtained after root canal cleaning (day 0) and 1 week later (day 7). The TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IFN-gamma levels were assayed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Mann-Whitney U, continuity correction chi-square, Pearson chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used. An increased level of cytokines on day 7 in the control group was observed, without statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). All cytokine levels decreased over time in the laser group. Only the IL-1beta level showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Nd: YAG irradiation has a positive effect on decreasing the proinflammatory cytokine level and may help to control infection in teeth with AP.