ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental caries is essentially a process of diffusion and dissolution. If the aspect of dissolution can be curtailed some degree of prevention can be achieved. AIMS: The present study was carried out to evaluate and compare the effect of Er:YAG laser and Co2 laser irradiation combined with acidulated phosphate fluoride treatment on in vitro acid resistance of human enamel. DESIGN: An in vitro study was carried out on 30 human premolars to evaluate the enamel's acid resistance using an atomic emission spectrometry analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 enamel specimens were prepared from 30 human premolars and were randomly assigned to 6 groups: (1) Untreated (control); (2) 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel application alone for 4 min; (3) Er:YAG laser treatment alone; (4) Co2 laser treatment alone; (5) Er:YAG laser + APF gel application; (6) Co2 laser + APF gel application. The specimens were then individually immersed in 5 ml of acetate buffer solution (0.1 mol/L, pH 4.5) and incubated at 37°C for 24 h, and the acid resistance was evaluated by determining the calcium ion concentration using the atomic emission spectrometry. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: An ANOVA model was constructed (P value of 0.05), followed by Tukey's test for multiple pair wise comparisons of mean values. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the control group and the test groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Combining acidulated phosphate fluoride with either Er:YAG or Co2 laser had a synergistic effect in decreasing the enamel demineralization more than either fluoride treatment or laser treatment alone.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of the present study was to estimate and compare the microleakage of a pit and fissure sealant after etching and Er:YAG laser treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty non-carious premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were equally divided into two groups. Samples in Group- I were treated with 37% phosphoric acid. Samples in Group II were irradiated with Er: YAG laser at 400 mJ at 4 Hz. Sealant was placed and light cured. Then, the samples were subjected to thermocycling. The samples were then immersed in 1% methylene blue. The samples were sectioned and examined under stereomicroscope at ×10 magnification. RESULTS: Acid etched samples showed significantly less microleakage when compared to laser etching and it was statistically significant (P<0.01).
ABSTRACT
Lobster-Claw syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant, hand-foot malformation with Oro-dental features. This is a rare condition and from the available reports so far, cases being reported are less than 1%. Most reports have focused on the hand-foot deformity of this syndrome. This paper highlights the typical Oro-dental features associated with this syndrome such as retained deciduous teeth, hypodontia and variation in crown size, arch length and arch width.
