Ablation of Human Carious Dentin Using a Pulsed Laser at 5.85 µm ; Relationship Between Ablation and Physical Properties

Abstract

For realizing less invasive treatment of dental caries, effectiveness of a laser at 5.85 µm wavelength have been investigated. The wavelength could realize the selective ablation of human carious dentin. The relationship between ablation depth and physical properties were also investigated because of the individual difference of human dentins and the correlations were observed. I. INTRODUCTION In the treatment of dental caries, less invasive methods are strongly required. However, conventional dental lasers cannot always achieve selective ablation of caries and good bonding with a composite resin. Based on the optical absorption characteristics��ZDYHOHQJWKVDURXQG����PDUHSURPLVLQJ in this regard. Our previous study has indicated that the nanosecond pulsed laser at 5.8 µm wavelength range could realize selective ablation of bovine demineralized dentin (artificial carious dentin model), and high bonding strength(1). The aim of this study is to investigate the ablation properties of human carious dentin with a laser at 5.85 µm wavelength range.