Morphological changes induced by short pulse hydrogen fluoride laser radiation on dental hard tissue and restorative materials.

Abstract

The potential benefits of the effects of lasers on dental tissues have yet to be realized but may be brought closer through the availability of a suitable laser. The objective of this project is to examine the surface morphological changes resulting from hydrogen fluoride (HF) laser radiation on tooth and restorative material surfaces. A hydrogen fluoride laser emitting at 2.9 microns is used to interact with a range of dental hard tissue and restorative materials. The surface morphological changes induced by 100 mJ pulses of < 1 microsecond duration is studied using a SEM. The irradiated surfaces displayed microstructures similar to those of a mechanically fractured surface with no evidence of melting. This study suggests that tissue is removed by microexplosion, leaving a surface free from thermal damage with surface characteristics that would appear to facilitate the adhesion of restorative materials.