• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.262-268
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• 2006

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the remineralizing effects of Nd : YAG laser irradiation and fluorides application on primary tooth enamel eroded by acidic drink. The materials were 30 sound primary teeth with intact smooth enamel surfaces. They were demineralized with Coca-cola at $37^{\circ}C$ for 12 hours and then irradiated by Nd: YAG laser with 6W power, $50mJ/cm^2$ energy density. and 20Hz pulse repetition. After laser irradiation, teeth were treated by three kinds of fluorides : (1) 0.05% NaF solution, (2) 1.23% APF gel and (3) 0.1% fluoride varnish. Diagnodent scores and microhardness (VHN) were measured before and after the each treatment. The results were as follows: 1. Diagnodent scores decreased to 23.51% from the initial after demineralization, and then increased to 37.37% after laser irradiation, and to 51.34% after fluoride treatment. There were significant differences between the total scores of initial, demineralization, laser irradiation and fluoride treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between scores after fluoride treatment according to fluoride types. 2. Microhardness(VHN) decreased to 33.58% from the initial after demineralization and then increased to 43.99% after laser irradiation, and to 51.38% after fluoride treatment. There were significant differences between the total scores of initial, demineralization, laser irradiation and fluoride treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between scores after fluoride treatment according to fluoride types.