Meta-analysis was used to assess the effect of Nd: YAG Lasers used in root canal therapy.

A search of literatures about clinical effect of Nd:YAG lasers in root canal therapy in Pub Med, Embase, Cochrane Library, CMCC, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang databases was conducted from 1997 to 2015. The quality of included studies was stringently evaluated and data was analyzed by the Rev Man 5.3 software.

8 studies were included in the Meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that the ratio of the occurrence of endodontic interappointment emergencies (EIAE) of 24 ~ 48 hours and 1 week after the therapy was significantly lower in the Nd: YAG lasers group compared with the control group (24 h: OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.15 ~ 0.48; 1week: OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.13 ~ 0.54). The six months to one year failure rate of root canal therapy was lower in Nd:YAG lasers group compared with the control group, the differences were statistically significant (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.06 ~ 1.00).

The use of Nd: YAG laser in root canal therapy relieves post-treatment pain response after the therapy and also reduces the long-term failure rate of root canal treatment.