EFFECTS OF LASER AND FLUORIDE TREATMENT ON THE RESISTANCE TO MICROORGANISM AND ACID IN ARTIFICIAL CARIOUS LESION

레이저와 불소가 인공우식병소의 항균성 및 내산성에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the acid resistance and antimicrobial effect of fluoride-laser combined application. Recently extracted third molars were used. $5{\times}3mm$ of the buccal and lingual specimens were exposed and incipient artificial carious lesions were formed by keeping them in the artificial cariogenic solution for 5 days. They were divided into five groups and treated with fluoride and laser according to the predetermined regimen. The acid resistance was compared between groups by chemical quantitative analysis of the calcium and phosphorous released into the test solution after single or combined application of fluoride and laser. The antimicrobial effect of each group was analyzed by counting the number of colony forming units after microbial incubation. The results from the present study can be summarized as follows; 1. Experimental groups showed lower values in calcium and phosphorous contents as well as in $CFU/m{\ell}$(colony forming units) than control group. Combined application groups showed lower values than single application groups. 2. Acid resistance and antimicrobial effect by fluoride and laser treatment were confirmed in this study. 3. Based upon the above-mentioned results of this study, it can be assumed that the use of laser-fluoride combined application may provide the child and adolescent patient population with antimicrobial effect as well as acid resistance. Further studies using various materials and experimental conditions are being encouraged.