HEALING PROCESS OF DENTAL HARD TISSUES AND PULP TISSUE AFTER LASER IRRADIATION

레이저에 의해 손상된 치아경조직 및 치수조직의 치유과정에 대한 연구

The present study was designed to understand the basic principles of the laser system and to assess the optimal coditions of the Nd:YAG laser irradiation system in order to expand the use of the laser system in the dental field. The laser system used in this study was a pulsed-wave output type and the power level is 9 watts. The incisors of developing rats were irradiated with the laser system explained above for 0.5, 1, and 2 seconds giving energy density 71, 167, and 215 J/$cm^2$ respectively. The rats were sacrificed just after irradiation or 10 minutes and 10 days after irradiation. The specimens were examined with the stereoscope, light microscope and transmission electron microscope. The results are as follows: 1. The tissue removal efficiency (depth of the cavity formed) is increased with the energy density after Nd:YAG laser irradiation. 2. The carbonized area is increased with the energy density. Cracks and melted appearance are seen in all kinds of the energy densities. 3. The lacunae in the damaged alveolar bone by the laser irradiation were empty, while those in the newly formed bone were occupied with the osteocytes. The damaged alveolar bone was repaired by the osteoblasts and macrophages on the periphery of the bone matrix. 4. The damaged enamel was replaced by the loose connective tissues showing many kinds of cells. The ameloblasts were differntiated on the replaced loose connective tissue. 5. The damaged dentin was repaired by the irregular dentin formed by the odontoblasts differentiated from the mesenchymal cells migrated from the pulp core.