ER: YAG laser for composite removal after bracket debonding: a qualitative SEM analysis.

Objective: To qualitatively compare the effectiveness of the Er:YAG laser with conventional methods for removing the composite remnants and the enamel ablation produced after bracket debonding.

Materials And Methods: Brackets were bonded on 12 extracted premolars and the composite remnants were removed by 3 different methods: tungsten-carbide bur and 2 Er:YAG laser intervals. Four other premolars were used as a control group. Samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the amount of composite remaining on the teeth and the amount of enamel ablated on each sample were qualitatively ranked by 3 examiners. The results were statistically analyzed by the Tukey test.

Results: The Er:YAG laser performed significantly better than the conventional technique for removing the composite remnants, but the amount of enamel ablation produced was significantly higher.

Conclusions: The Er:YAG laser can be used to remove composite remnants after orthodontic bracket debonding, but further studies are required to determine the ideal specifications of this type of laser to reduce the amount of enamel ablation produced under the specifications used in this study.