Comparative study of the thermal effects of four semiconductor lasers on the enamel and pulp chamber of a human tooth

✍ Scribed by Anna Marie A. Arrastia; Takashi Machida; Dr. med dent Petra Wilder Smith; Koukichi Matsumoto

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 698 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0196-8092
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.1900150408

✦ Synopsis

An in vitro thermometric study was conducted on various GaAlAs semiconductor lasers emitting at wavelengths between 750 nm and 905 nm, to verify whether these lasers produce s i g nificant heating during application to tooth structure. Measurements were conducted in vitro, using a thermal camera and a thermocouple during a 60,120, and 180 s laser exposure at energy densities between 1.5 and 2,400 J/cm2. Mean temperature changes on surface enamel were statistically significant in all groups at P 5 .05 and P 5 .01. The higher the energy density applied to a surface area, the greater the temperature rise observed using the same spot size, operation mode, and wavelength. Intrspulpal temperature elevations measured 23°C. An in vivo study was also conducted to determine whether perceptible stimuli are experienced by patients during this time of laser treatment and to verify results of the in vitro study. The results did not conform well with the in vitro study because of uncontrollable variables. None of the patients who received irradiation treatment described any perceptible stimuli.