Comparison of three lasers on demineralization of human enamel

G. Lynn Powell; Duncan Yu; William I. Higuchi; Jeffrey L. Fox

doi:10.1117/12.148337

21 July 1993 Comparison of three lasers on demineralization of human enamel

G. Lynn Powell, Duncan Yu, William I. Higuchi, Jeffrey L. Fox

Proceedings Volume 1880, Lasers in Orthopedic, Dental, and Veterinary Medicine II; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.148337
Event: OE/LASE'93: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Scienceand Engineering, 1993, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Previous studies have recorded the reduction of caries-like lesions or demineralization in extracted human teeth that had been irradiated with CO₂ laser, Nd:YAG laser, and Argon laser. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three different cw lasers on acid resistance and demineralization of dental enamel. Human enamel was laser irradiated with either Argon, CO₂, or Nd:YAG energy densities of 60 - 65 J/cm² or 120 - 130 J/cm². The amount of demineralization was determined in a rotating disk assembly (0.1 M acetate buffer, pH - 4.5) for 24 hours and the results determined and plotted against the non-lased control using microradiographs and computerized imaging. The amount of dissolution of tooth structure lost to demineralization in 4.5 pH acid bath in a 24 hour period was reduced from approximately 140 microns for the unlased control to approximately 90 microns for the Argon laser and 70 microns for the CO₂ laser at 60 - 65 J/cm². At 120 - 130 J/cm² the results were: 120 microns for the Nd:YAG, 70 microns for the Argon, and 45 microns for the CO₂ laser. This study shows that demineralization is reduced significantly in vitro when human enamel is exposed to Argon and CO₂ laser irradiation.

Citation Download Citation

G. Lynn Powell, Duncan Yu, William I. Higuchi, and Jeffrey L. Fox "Comparison of three lasers on demineralization of human enamel", Proc. SPIE 1880, Lasers in Orthopedic, Dental, and Veterinary Medicine II, (21 July 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.148337

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available