LAUSR

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This systematic review documents the up-to-date evidence on the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the push out bond strength of fiber post cemented to root dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS The focused PICO question was: "What impact does PDT has on the push out bond strength on the fiber post cemented to root dentin?" This systematic review follows the guidelines and recommendations reported in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines chart. Electronic search was performed on MEDLINE/PUBMED, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and EMBASE from the list published from January 1980 up to and including January 2020. Heterogeneity was calculated for push-out bond strength using the Chi-square test and I2 statistics. For meta-analyses, if the I2 was higher than 50%, a random effects model was used, otherwise a fixed effects model for I2 ≤50% was applied. P-value <0.05 was set for significant heterogeneity. Forest plots were computed reporting standard mean difference (SMD) of outcomes and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS A total of ten studies were included. All studies included in the systematic review demonstrated medium risk of bias. All studies tested the push out bond strength using a universal testing machine by applying a load ranging between 0.5 and 1 mm/min speed. Out of 10 studies, a total of nine studies (90%) indicated that PDT had no effect on push out bond strength of fiber post to root dentin. Only one study indicated PDT significantly improved the push out bond strength when compared with other control groups. The overall mean difference for push out bond strength showed no statistically significant difference between PDT and the control group (SMD = -1.11 [-3.25, 1.02], Z=-1.02, P = 0.305). CONCLUSION This systematic review concludes that PDT has no effect on improving bond strength of fiber post to root dentin.