Abstract
Time-resolved infrared (IR) radiometry was used to measure surface temperatures during pulsed Er:YSGG (l=2.79 mm) and Er:YAG (l=2.94 mm) laser irradiation of dental enamel. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the melting and vaporization thresholds and to characterize other changes in the surface morphology. The magnitude and temporal evolution of the surface temperature during multiplepulse irradiation of the tissue was dependent on the wavelength, fluence, and pre-exposure to laser pulses. Radiometry and SEM micrographs indicate that ablation is initiated at temperatures well below the melting and vaporization temperatures of the carbonated hydroxyapatite mineral component (1200 °C). Ablation occurred at lower surface temperatures and at lower fluences for Er:YAG than for Er:YSGG laser irradiation: 400 °C vs. 800 °C and above 7 J/cm2 vs. 18 J/cm2, respectively. However, the measured surface temperatures were higher at l=2.79 mm than at l=2.94 mm during low fluence irradiation (<7 J/cm2). Spatially dependent absorption in the enamel matrix is proposed to explain this apparent contradiction.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
