Dynamic characterization of indocyanine green-assisted dental caries ablation with continuous diode laser using thermal imaging and fluorescence spectroscopy.

We describe the time-resolved thermal changes in indocyanine green (ICG)-assisted diode laser ablation of dental caries as a potential technique for painless treatment based on the selective photoabsorption and controlled photothermal ablation. Static ablation mode produced a higher temperature rise compared with scanning mode due to localized accumulation of heat. A temperature rise between 45-80 and 70-95 °C was obtained after 20 s that corresponded to 29 and 80 W cm, respectively.