Non-contact profilometry of eroded and abraded enamel irradiated with an Er:YAG laser.

Literature has reported positive results regarding the use of lasers in the control of erosive lesions; however, evaluating whether they are effective in the control of the progression of erosive/abrasive lesions is important. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the Er:YAG laser irradiation in controlling the progression of erosion associated with abrasive lesions in enamel. Material and methods Bovine incisors were sectioned, flattened and polished. Forty-eight enamel slabs were subjected to treatment in an intraoral phase. Twelve volunteers used an intraoral appliance containing one slab that was irradiated with an Er:YAG laser (5.2 J/cm2, 85 mJ, 2 Hz) and another non-irradiated slab on each side of the appliance, during one phase of 5 d, under a split-mouth design. Devices were subjected to erosive challenges (1% citric acid, 5 min, 3 times a day) and abrasive challenges one h after (brushing force of 1.5 N for 15 s) randomly and independently on each side of the device. Measurements of enamel loss were performed via 3D optical profilometry (µm). We analyzed data using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests and morphological characteristics via scanning electron microscopy. Results Following erosive and abrasive challenges, the group that was irradiated with the Er:YAG laser presented less loss of structure than the non-irradiated group. The group that underwent erosion and irradiation did not exhibit a significant difference from the non-irradiated group. Conclusion Irradiation with the Er:YAG laser did not control the loss of structure of enamel subjected to erosion but did control abrasion after erosion.

Non-contact profilometry of eroded and abraded enamel irradiated with an Er: YAG laser

Abstract Literature has reported positive results regarding the use of lasers in the control of erosive lesions; however, evaluating whether they are effective in the control of the progression of erosive/abrasive lesions is important. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the Er:YAG laser irradiation in controlling the progression of erosion associated with abrasive lesions in enamel. Material and methods Bovine incisors were sectioned, flattened and polished. Forty-eight enamel slabs were subjected to treatment in an intraoral phase. Twelve volunteers used an intraoral appliance containing one slab that was irradiated with an Er:YAG laser (5.2 J/cm2, 85 mJ, 2 Hz) and another non-irradiated slab on each side of the appliance, during one phase of 5 d, under a split-mouth design. Devices were subjected to erosive challenges (1% citric acid, 5 min, 3 times a day) and abrasive challenges one h after (brushing force of 1.5 N for 15 s) randomly and independently on each side of the device. Measurements of enamel loss were performed via 3D optical profilometry (μm). We analyzed data using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests and morphological characteristics via scanning electron microscopy. Results Following erosive and abrasive challenges, the group that was irradiated with the Er:YAG laser presented less loss of structure than the non-irradiated group. The group that underwent erosion and irradiation did not exhibit a significant difference from the non-irradiated group. Conclusion Irradiation with the Er:YAG laser did not control the loss of structure of enamel subjected to erosion but did control abrasion after erosion.

Combined effect of fluoride varnish to Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser on permeability of eroded root dentine.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the combined effect of fluoride varnish to Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser on permeability of eroded root dentine. DESIGN: Sixty slabs of bovine root dentine (2×2×2mm) were eroded with citric acid 0.3% (pH 3.2) during 2h and then kept in artificial saliva during 24h. Specimens were randomly assigned in 6 groups (n=10), to receive the following treatments: fluoride varnish; fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser; fluoride varnish+Nd:YAG laser; non-fluoride varnish; non-fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser; non-fluoride varnish+Nd:YAG laser. The Er:YAG (100mJ, 3Hz) and Nd:YAG (70mJ, 15Hz) were applied for 10s. Specimens were subjected to further erosive challenges with citric acid 0.3% 4×/day, during 1min, for 5 days, remaining in artificial saliva between cycles. Dentin permeability was then assessed. Two-way ANOVA demonstrated no significant interaction between laser and varnish (p=0.858). RESULTS: No effect was also detected for the main factor varnish (p=0.768), while permeability of eroded root dentin was significantly lower when such substrate was laser-irradiated, no matter the laser source (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers can be employed to control the permeability of eroded root dentin, regardless of fluoride varnish application.

Sub ablative Er: YAG laser irradiation on surface roughness of eroded dental enamel.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation applied at varying pulse repetition rate on the surface roughness of eroded enamel. METHODS: Bovine enamel slabs (n = 10) were embedded in polyester resin, ground, and polished. To erosive challenges, specimens were immersed two times per day in 20mL of concentrated orange juice (pH = 3.84) under agitation, during a two-day period. Specimens were randomly assigned to irradiation with the Er:YAG laser (focused mode, pulse energy of 60 mJ and energy density of 3.79 J/cm(2) ) operating at 1, 2, 3, or 4 Hz. The control group was left nonirradiated. Surface roughness measurements were recorded post erosion-like formation and further erosive episodes by a profilometer and observed through atomic force microscopy (AFM). RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed that the control group showed the lowest surface roughness, while laser-irradiated substrates did not differ from each other following post erosion-like lesion formation. According to analysis of covariance, at further erosive episodes, the control group demonstrated lower surface roughness (P > 0.05), than any of the irradiated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pulse repetition rate of the Er:YAG laser did not affect roughness of dental enamel eroded. The AFM images showed that the specimens irradiated by the Er:YAG laser at 1 Hz presented a less rough surface than those irradiated at 2, 3, and 4 Hz.

In Situ analysis of CO2 laser irradiation on controlling progression of erosive lesions on dental enamel.

The present study aimed to evaluate in situ the effect of CO2 laser irradiation to control the progression of enamel erosive lesions. Fifty-six slabs of bovine incisors enamel (5 × 3 × 2.5 mm(3) ) were divided in four distinct areas: (1) sound (reference area), (2) initial erosion, (3) treatment (irradiated or nonirradiated with CO2 laser), (4) final erosion (after in situ phase). The initial erosive challenge was performed with 1% citric acid (pH = 2.3), for 5 min, 2×/day, for 2 days. The slabs were divided in two groups according to surface treatment: irradiated with CO2 laser (λ = 10.6 µm; 0.5 W) and nonirradiate. After a 2-day lead-in period, 14 volunteers wore an intraoral palatal appliance containing two slabs (irradiated and nonirradiated), in two intraoral phases of 5 days each. Following a cross-over design during the first intraoral phase, half of the volunteers immersed the appliance in 100 mL of citric acid for 5 min, 3×/day, while other half of the volunteers used deionized water (control). The volunteers were crossed over in the second phase. Enamel wear was determined by an optical 3D profilometer. Three-way ANOVA for repeated measures revealed that there was no significant interaction between erosive challenge and CO2 laser irradiation (P = 0.419). Erosive challenge significantly increased enamel wear (P = 0.001), regardless whether or not CO2 laser irradiation was performed. There was no difference in enamel wear between specimens CO2 -laser irradiated and non-irradiated (P = 0.513). Under intraoral conditions, CO2 laser irradiation did not control the progression of erosive lesions in enamel caused by citric acid.

Permeability of eroded enamel following application of different fluoride gels and CO2 laser.

This study evaluated the combined effect of fluoride compounds and CO(2) laser in controlling the permeability of eroded enamel. Bovine enamel slabs (3 × 2 mm) were cycled twice through an alternating erosion and remineralization regimen. Slabs were immersed in 20 ml of orange juice (pH 3.84) for 5 min under agitation, rinsed with deionized water, and stored in artificial saliva for 4 h to form erosive lesions. Specimens were then divided into four groups (n = 10), which were treated for 1 min with either a control or with one of the following gels: amine fluoride (AmF), titanium tetrafluoride (TiF(4)), or sodium fluoride (NaF). Half of the specimens were irradiated with a CO(2) laser (λ = 10.6 µm; 2.0 W). Specimens were cycled two more times through the aforementioned erosion-remineralization regimen and were subjected to permeability assessment. ANOVA demonstrated a significant interaction between fluoride and laser treatment (p = 0.0152). Tukey's test showed that when fluoride was applied alone, TiF(4) resulted in lower enamel permeability than that observed after application of the placebo gel. Intermediate permeability values were noted after NaF and AmF had been used. A significant reduction in enamel permeability was obtained when fluoride was combined with CO(2) laser treatment, with no difference between fluoride gels. Permeability of eroded enamel may be reduced by combining the application of fluoride gels with CO(2) laser irradiation.

Shear bond strength of a sealant to contaminated-enamel surface: influence of erbium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser pretreatment.

BACKGROUND: Salivary contamination is one of the factors that can disturb the sealing process and interfere in the longevity of pit and fissure sealants. Erbium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er : YAG) laser could influence the bond strength of enamel and increase the acid resistance. PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of Er : YAG laser on the shear bond strength of a sealant to a salivary contaminated enamel surface. METHODS: Twenty-four third molars had the roots sectioned 2 mm coronal to the cementoenamel junction. The crowns were mesiodistally sectioned providing 48 halves that were embedded in polyester resin. Enamel was flattened and a 2-mm diameter bonding area was demarcated. Specimens were randomly assigned to two groups according to the superficial pretreatment-37% phosphoric acid (A) and Er : YAG laser (80 mJ/2 Hz) + phosphoric acid (L), which were subdivided into two groups (N = 12), without salivary contamination (C) and with salivary contamination (SC). To contaminate the specimens, 0.25 mL of human fresh saliva was applied for 20 seconds and then dried. Fluroshield sealant was applied in all specimens. After storage, shear bond strength of samples were tested in a universal testing machine. RESULTS: Means in MPa were: AC-14.61 (+/-2.52); ASC-6.66 (+/-2.34); LC-11.91 (+/-1.34); and LSC-2.22 (+/-0.66). Statistical analysis revealed that surfaces without salivary contamination and with acid treatment had the highest mean (p < 0.05). The group with salivary contamination treated by Er : YAG laser followed by phosphoric acid application presented the lowest bond values (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The phosphoric acid etching under dry condition yielded better bonding performance. Er : YAG laser was not able to increase the effectiveness of conventional acid etching of enamel in the bond of sealants in both dry and wet conditions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Under the conditions of this study, the conventional etching protocol (phosphoric acid without salivary contamination) is still preferable to laser-conditioning enamel surface prior to sealant application.