Skip to main content
Log in

Comparative ablation rate from a Er: YAG laser on enamel and dentin of primary and permanent teeth

  • Laser Methods in Biology and Medicine
  • Published:
Laser Physics

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze the ablation rate and micromorphological aspects of microcavities in enamel and dentin of primary and permanent teeth using a Er: YAG laser system. Micromorphological evaluation has been performed in terms of permanent teeth; however, little information about Er: YAG laser interaction with primary teeth can be found in the literature. Because children have been the most beneficiary patients with laser therapy in our offices, it is extremely necessary to compare the effects of this kind of laser system on the enamel and dentin of permanent and primary teeth. In this study, we used eleven intact primary anterior exfoliated teeth and six extracted permanent molar teeth. We used a commercial laser system: a Er: YAG Twin Light laser system (Fotona Medical Lasers, Slovenia) at 2940 nm, changing average energy levels per pulse (100, 200, 300, and 400 mJ) producing 48 microcavities in enamel and dentin of primary and permanent teeth. Primary teeth are more easily ablated than are permanent teeth, when related to enamel or dentin. However, while this laser system is capable of slowly revealing the enamel’s microstructure, in dentin only the lowest laser energies permit this kind of observation, more easily decomposing the original tissue aspect, when related to primary or permanent teeth. Statistically, the only different factor at the 5% level was an energy per pulse of 400 mJ, confirming the results found in SEM. Our results showed that dentin in both primary and permanent teeth is less resistant to Er: YAG laser ablation; this fact is easily observed under SEM observation and through the ablation rate evaluation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. R. Hibst, U. Keller, and R. Steiner, “Die wirkung gepulster Er:YAG—laserstrahlung auf zahngewebe,” Laser Med. Surg. 4, 163–165 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  2. A. F. Paghdiwala, T. K. Vaidyanathan, and M. F. Paghdiwala, “Evaluation of Erbium: YAG Radiation of Hard Dental Tissues Analysis of Temperature Changes, Depth of Cuts and Structural Effects,” Scanning Microsc. 7 989 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  3. J. Pelagalli, G. B. Gimbel, R. T. Hansen, et al., “Investigation Study of the Use of Er:YAG Laser Versus Dental Drill for Caries Removal and Cavity Preparation — Phase I,” J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg. 15, 109 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  4. T. Dostálová, H. Jelínková, O. Krejsa, et al., “Dentin and Pulp Response to Erbium: YAG Laser Ablation: A Preliminary Evaluation of Human Teeth,” J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg. 15, 117 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  5. H. Tokonabe, R. Kouji, H. Watanabe, et al., “Morphological Changes of Human Teeth with Er:YAG Laser Irradiation,” J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg. 17, 7 (1999).

    Google Scholar 

  6. J. Hadley, D. A. Young, L. R. Eversole, and J. A. Gornbein, “A Laser Powered Hydrokinetic System for Caries Removal and Cavity Preparation,” J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 131, 777 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Y. Yamada, M. Hossain, Y. Nakamura, et al., “Removal of Carious Dentin by Mechanical, Chemomechanical and Er:YAG Laser in Deciduous Teeth,” J. Oral Laser Appl. 1, 109 (2001).

    Google Scholar 

  8. D. Fried, “IR Laser Ablation of Dental Enamel,” Proc. SPIE 3910, 136 (2000).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. J. Giusti, L. Santos-Pinto, R. Lizarelli, and V. Bagnato, “Ablation Rates and Morphological Patterns of Deciduos Enamel Teeth after Er:YAG Laser Irradiation: An in vitro Study,” J. Oral Laser Appl. 2(3), 159 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  10. J. S. M. Giusti, L. Santos-Pinto, R. F. Z. Lizarelli, and V. S. Bagnato, “Cavosurface Angle Patterns of Er:YAG Laser Cavity Preparations in Primary Teeth,” J. Oral Laser Appl. 4(1), 23 (2004).

    Google Scholar 

  11. P. R. Wilson and A. D. Beynon, “Mineralization Differences between Human Deciduous and Permanent Enamel Measured by Quantitative Microradiography,” Arch. Oral Biol. 34, 85 (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. R. F. Z. Lizarelli, C. Kurachi, L. Misoguti, and V. S. Bagnato, “Characterization of Enamel and Dentin Response to Nd:YAG Picosecond Laser Ablation,” J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg. 17, 127 (1999).

    Google Scholar 

  13. A. J. Gwinnett, “The Ultrastructure of the ‘Prismless’ Enamel of Deciduos Teeth,” Arch. Oral Biol. 11, 1109 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. D. R. Askeland, The Science and Engineering of Materials, 3d ed. (PWS, Boston, 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  15. R. F. Z. Lizarelli, T. Moriyama, and V. S. Bagnato, “Ablation Rate and Micromorphological Aspects with Nd:YAG Picosecond Pulsed Laser on Primary Teeth,” Lasers Surg. Med. 31(3), 177 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Original Text © Astro, Ltd., 2006.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lizarelli, R.d.F.Z., Moriyama, L.T., Jorge, J.R.P. et al. Comparative ablation rate from a Er: YAG laser on enamel and dentin of primary and permanent teeth. Laser Phys. 16, 849–858 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1054660X06050173

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1054660X06050173

PACS numbers

Navigation