Energy output reduction and surface alteration of quartz tips following Er:YAG laser contact irradiation on soft and hard tissues in vitro.

Though the Er:YAG laser (ErL) has been used in periodontal therapy, the irradiated tip damage has not been studied in detail. In this study, the change in the energy output, surface morphology, and temperature of quartz tips was evaluated following contact irradiation. Soft tissue, calculus on extracted human teeth, and porcine bone were irradiated by ErL for 60 min at 14.

Effects of added mannitol on the setting reaction and mechanical strength of apatite cement.

Apatite cement containing porogen can be a useful material for the fabrication of biporous (macro- and microporous) apatite, which has gained much attention as a bone substitute material because of its large surface area and that it improves cell penetration. In the present study, the effects of added mannitol on the setting reaction and mechanical strength of apatite cement were evaluated. Apatite cements containing 0-40 wt% of mannitol were prepared and allowed to set in 0.

Energy output reduction and surface alteration of quartz and sapphire tips following Er:YAG laser contact irradiation for tooth enamel ablation.

Background: Despite the recent increase in application of Er:YAG laser for various dental treatments, limited information is available regarding the contact tips. This study examined the changes in energy output and surface condition of quartz and sapphire contact tips after Er:YAG laser contact irradiation for tooth enamel ablation.

Materials And Methods: Ten sets of unused quartz or sapphire contact tips were employed for contact irradiation to sound enamel of extracted teeth.

Current status of clinical laser applications in periodontal therapy.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder caused by bacterial infection. Laser treatment demonstrates specific characteristics that may be valuable in managing periodontal disease. In addition, lasers reduce stress and uncomfortable conditions for patients during and after treatment compared to other conventional tools.

Application of DIAGNOdent as a guide for removing carious dentin with Er:YAG laser.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the DIAGNOdent values applicable as a guide for removal of outer layer of carious dentin with Er:YAG laser.

Methods: Carious dentin of human extracted molars was removed by bur with Caries Detector (Group 1: red stained dentin was left, Group 2: light pink stained dentin was left) and by Er:YAG laser with DIAGNOdent value as a guide (30>Group 3>21, 20>Group 4>11, 10>Group 5). The cavity floor dentin after removing carious dentin was examined using microradiograms, EPMA and SEM.

Output energy changes of quartz contact probe for Er:YAG laser with tooth ablation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the output energy changes of the contact probe for Er:YAG laser with tooth ablation and evaluate the effect of contact surface polishing on output energy. The Er:YAG laser was irradiated to enamel of extracted human incisors for 100 min (5 min x 20 times). The output energy of contact probes was measured every 5 min (n = 3).

Electron probe micro-analysis of a contact probe after Er:YAG laser tooth ablation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contact probes of Er:YAG laser before and after tooth ablation. Three kinds of contact probe were prepared. The first was an unused probe (NE).

Effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation on human dentin: polarizing microscopic, light microscopic and microradiographic observations, and FT-IR analysis.

Background And Objectives: The effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation on dentin have not been sufficiently investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation on dentin.

Study Design/materials And Methods: After cavities were prepared using Er:YAG laser irradiation or rotary cutting instruments, histological observations of cavity-floor dentin utilizing polarizing microscopy, microradiography and light microscopy, and analysis of composition of cavity-floor dentin using Fourier-transformed (FT-IR) spectrometry were conducted.

Comparison of the bond strength of composite resin to Er:YAG laser irradiated human enamel pre-treated with various methods in vitro.

Background And Objective: We have reported that the application of ultrasonic scalers on the Er:YAG laser-irradiated enamel surface achieved bond strengths of approximately 16 MPa. However, it is reported that a bond strength of 20 MPa is needed to prevent the marginal gaps, so the tensile bond strength (TBS) of composite resin to the Er:YAG laser-irradiated enamel is still insufficient.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Various methods (phosphoric acid etching, air scaling, ultrasonic scaling, air powder polishing, combination with phosphoric acid etching, and prior mechanical removal methods) were tested as a technique to increase TBS of composite resins to the Er:YAG irradiated enamel.

Adhesion of Er:YAG laser-irradiated dentin and composite resins: application of various treatments on irradiated surface.

Background And Objectives: The investigation of adhesion between an Er:YAG laser-irradiated surface and composite resin is very important to ensure the best clinical results. The purpose of this investigation is to determine if the application of various treatments on Er:YAG laser-irradiated dentin surface affects the tensile bond strength between dentin and composite resins.

Study Design/materials And Methods: In this investigation, the application of phosphoric acid, ultrasonic scaler, air-scaler, and air-powder polisher were tested as techniques to increase the bond strength of composite resins to Er:YAG laser-irradiated dentin surface.