Er:YAG Laser Effect on Enamel Demineralization—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Er:YAG laser irradiation on caries-like lesion formation in human dental enamel using polarized light microscopy. Methods: Ten enamel sections were treated with Er:YAG laser with three different parameters. 100mj, 10 pps, 150mj 10 pps and 200 mj 10 pps with 1.0 spot size was used. After the laser treatment, 13, 20, 32, 44, 56 hours demineralization-cycling scheme were performed. The acid resistance of each enamel specimen was evaluated by polarized light microscopy. Results: The results showed that the laser parameter of 150 mj and 200 mj may be beneficial to the acid resistance of enamel. Among the five sections that have positive effect, section c and h subjected to 150 mj and 10 pps laser treatment, and 200 mj and10 pps for section e, j and f. However, laser density 100 mj in this study was not high enough to have positive effect on caries prevention. Conclusions: Er:YAG laser was found promising in achieving the caries-protective effect. It was found that laser parameter of 150 and 200 mj are beneficial to the caries prevention of enamel. Nevertheless, the correlation between the laser-induced changes in enamel observed in polarized light microscopy and the energy of the Laser is still far from established.