Abstract
Objective: The purposes of this study were to investigate the morphological and atomic analytical changes and to evaluate the cutting effect on dental hard tissues of this laser in vitro. Background Data: There have been few reports on morphological and atomic analytical study of dental hard tissues after erbium,chromium: yttrium,scandium,gallium,garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser irradiation. Methods: Eighteen extracted human molars were sectioned into 3-mm-thick slices, which were irradiated with water-air spray by an Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 6.0 W and 20 Hz for 5 sec for enamel and 5.0 W and 20 Hz for 5 sec for dentin. The samples were then morphologically observed and examined atomic-analytically. Results: Regular holes having sharp edges and smooth walls, but no melting or carbonization, were observed in both samples. An atomic analytical examination showed that the calcium ratio to phosphorus showed no significant changes between the lased areas and unlased areas (p > 0.01). Conclusion: These results showed that the Er,Cr:YSGG laser has a good cutting effect on dental hard tissues and offers advantages of no burning or melting after laser irradiation.
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