Abstract
The purpose of this study is to measure the bonding strength at the enamel and dentin of extracted bovine incisors when they are irradiated by W Nd: YAG, EoQ Nd: YAG, and CW $CO_2$ laser, etched and then attached by composite resin. The laser-irradiated surface, the etched surface after the laser-irradiation and the interface of the treated surface and resin are observed by using scanning electron microscope. The NP Nd:YAG laser is used at the peam power of 207 KW. The EOQ Nd: YAG laser is used at the peak power of 1.15Mk. The CW $CO_2$ laser is used at the energy output of 5W and 10W in enamel; in dentin, at the energy output of 2W. The obtained results were as follows: 1. The shear bond strength of enamel decreased in the following order: EOQ Nd:YAG laser group, NP Nd:YAG laser group, CW $CO_2$ laser groups, unlased group. The unlased group showed a significant difference from EOQ Nd:YAG laser group (P<0.01), NP Nd:YAG laser group (P<0.05), but no significant difference from CW $CO_2$ laser group (P>0.05). 2. The shear bond strength of dentin decreased in the following order: CW $CO_2$ laser group, NP Nd:YAG laser group, unlased group, EOQ Nd:YAG laser group. The unlased group showed a significant difference from CW $CO_2$ laser group (P<0.01), but no significant difference from Nd:YAG laser groups (P>0.05). 3. The scanning electron microscope of enamel revealed irregular microcrack and pore at the surface in the NP Nd:YAG laser group and CW $CO_2$ laser group, but the crackless flat surface in the EOQ Nd:YAG laser group. 4. The scanning electron microscope of dentin revealed obstruction of in most of dentinal tubule and decrease of diameter. 5. The scanning electron microscope of the interface of resin and enamel revealed prominent penetration of resin tag in the EOQ Nd:YAG laser group.