• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.728-734
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Er:YAG laser on cutting of efficacy of enamel and dentin in primary and permanent teeth. We used the enamel and dentin specimens of human teeth which contain the physiologic saline and maintain the pulpal pressure in dentinal tubules. Each specimen was exposed to Er:YAG laser with non-contact mode under different treatment condition of irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate. We investigated the cutting efficacy of Er:YAG laser by Scanning Intensity Microscopy, and obtained following results. 1. Cutting volume of enamel and dentin in primary and permanent teeth were increased by increasing the irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate. 2. Cutting volume of primary teeth was larger than that of permanent teeth. 3. Cutting volume of dentin was larger than that of enamel in primary and permanent teeth. From these results, Er:YAG laser would be more effective in cutting dentin than enamel, and in cutting primary teeth than permanent teeth for clinical application.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.32-44
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Er : YAG laser on cutting efficacy and temperature changes of dentin. We used the dentin specimens of human premolars and molars which contain the physiologic saline and maintain the pulpal pressure in dentinal tubules. Each specimen was exposed to Er : YAG laser with non-contact handpiece type delivery system under different treatment condition of irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate, and exposure time. Two procedures were conducted by the presence of water flow during lasing. The specimens were grouped by thickness of dentin. We investigated the cavity pattern, volume, and temperature change of dentin specimen to determine the cutting efficacy and temperature rise of Er : YAG laser, and obtained following results. 1. Cutting volume of dentin was increased by increasing the irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate, and exposure time(P<0.05). 2. Margins of abulated cavities were sharp and clean and floors of cavities were conical in shape and showing smooth surfaces. Upper diameter of abulated cavities were increasing as laser parameter of irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate, and exposure time were increased. A few cracks were observed on abulated surfaces under treatment condition of laser parameter with 150mJ, 5Hz, and 5sec. 3. Temperature was increased as laser parameter of irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate, and exposure time were increased, and temperature rise was decreased as dentin thickness was increased(P<0.05). 4. Temperature rise was decreased under water flow compared with no water flow during laser exposure(P<0.05). From these results, we think that the method of using a Er:YAG laser would be effective and safe in cutting dentin for clinical application.