Abstract
New diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) Er:YAG lasers have become available operating at high pulse repetition rates. These lasers are ideally suited for integration with laser scanning systems for the selective removal of dental decay and composite restorative materials from tooth surfaces. The purpose of this study was to determine if a DPSS Er:YAG laser system is suitable for the selective removal of composite from tooth surfaces. Relative ablation rates of composite and enamel were determined and composite was removed from tooth surfaces using a DPSS Er:YAG laser. Composite was removed very rapidly with ablation rates approaching 50-µm per pulse. A fluence of ~50 J/cm2 appeared optimal for the removal of composite and damage to the enamel was limited to less than 100-µm after the removal of composite as thick as 700-800-µm; however, dentin is removed at similar rates to composite. The DPSS Er:YAG laser appears to be better suited for the removal of composite than conventional flash-lamp pumped Er:YAG lasers since composite is ablated at higher rates than dental enamel and the high pulse repetition rates enable greater selectivity while maintaining high removal rates.
Highlights
Dental composites are used as restorative materials for filling cavities, shaping, and covering teeth for esthetic purposes, and as adhesives
Tooth colored restorations are difficult to differentiate from the surrounding tooth structure and adhere strongly to the underlying enamel and dentin making them challenging to remove without damaging tooth structure
The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of using the diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) Er:YAG laser for the selective removal of composite from tooth surfaces
Summary
Dental composites are used as restorative materials for filling cavities, shaping, and covering teeth for esthetic purposes, and as adhesives. Tooth colored restorations are difficult to differentiate from the surrounding tooth structure and adhere strongly to the underlying enamel and dentin making them challenging to remove without damaging tooth structure. A system that can rapidly remove composite from tooth surfaces while minimizing the inadvertent removal of healthy tooth structure would be a significant improvement over current methods. The rate of composite removal has been found to vary with the filler content with more highly filled composites being ablated at lower rates [5]. Most dentists use hybrid composites which are ~80% by weight filler. The two composites used in this study are hybrid composites. It is important that the entire composite is ablated without major thermal modification of the composite. It is important to minimize peripheral damage during composite removal and water-cooling is necessary
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
