Effect of Er:YAG laser on enamel acid resistance: Morphlogical and atomic spectrometry analysis

✍ Scribed by Renata Cristina M. Cecchini; Denise Maria Zezell; Elisabeth de Oliveira; Patricia M. de Freitas; Carlos de P. Eduardo

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 390 KB
• Volume: 37
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0196-8092
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.20247

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background and Objectives

This study evaluated the effect of Er:YAG laser on enamel acid resistance.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Seventy human enamel slabs were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 10): G1, Er:YAG laser (Key Laser 2, KaVo, Germany) 60 mJ, 2 Hz, 33.3 J/cm^2^ (handpiece no. 2051, non‐contact); G2, Er:YAG laser 80 mJ, 2 Hz, 44.4 J/cm^2^ (handpiece no. 2051, non‐contact); G3, Er:YAG laser 120 mJ, 2 Hz, 66.6 J/cm^2^ (handpiece no. 2051, non‐contact); G4, Er:YAG laser 64 mJ, 2 Hz, 20 J/cm^2^ (handpiece no. 2055, contact); G5, Er:YAG laser 86.4 mJ, 2 Hz, 26.9 J/cm^2^ (handpiece no. 2055, contact); G6, Er:YAG laser 135 mJ, 2 Hz, 42.2 J/cm^2^ (handpiece no. 2055, contact); G7, control. After laser irradiation, samples were submitted to an acid challenge. For both the nos. 2051 and 2055 handpieces, irradiation was performed with a water cooled spray (5.0 ml/minutes). The calcium and phosphorous ions delivered from the tooth surface were quantified by atomic emission spectrometry, and morphological analysis of the enamel surface was performed under scanning electron microscopy. Kruskal–Wallis and multiple comparisons tests were applied to distinguish significant differences among the treatments (α = 5%).

Results

Groups G1, G2, and G4 presented decreased demineralization. The SEM evaluation revealed different surface alterations as a result of the different energies used.

Conclusion

Lower energies can decrease enamel solubility without severe alterations of the enamel. Lasers Surg. Med. 00:1–7,2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.