Assessment of morphological changes and permeability of apical dentin surfaces induced by Nd:Yag laser irradiation through retrograde cavity surfaces

The purpose of this in vitro study was to observe the morphological changes and apical dye penetration at apical dentin surfaces induced by Nd:YAG laser irradiation at different power settings with and without a laser initiator. Seventy five single rooted human maxillary anterior teeth were used. Following the establishment of the working lengths, the root canals were enlarged with step-back technique. The apex of each root was resected 3 mm perpendicular to its long axis. Standard Class I cavities of 2 mm depth and 2 mm width were prepared. The teeth were randomly divided into five groups with fifteen teeth in each. In Group 1, the retrograde cavity preparations were lased with Nd:YAG laser at 2 W and those in Group 2 preparations were lased with Nd:YAG laser at 3.2 W. In Group 3, the retrograde cavity surfaces were lased with Nd:YAG laser at 2 W following the application of India ink. Group 4 was lased with the same settings of Group 2 after an absorbent cotton point soaked with India ink was inserted into the cut dentinal surfaces and the inner walls of the apical preparations. Group 5 served as control. Five teeth from each group were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The amounts of smear layer, debris, and recrystalized dentin present were assessed and scored. Retrograde cavities of ten teeth from each group were filled with amalgam to examine apical dye penetration. The teeth were immersed in 2% basic fuscin and kept for 48 hours. Dye penetration was evaluated by stereomicroscope at a magnification of X10. The results showed the usage of India ink with Nd:YAG laser enhanced the amount of melting and recrystalization of dentin and the radiation and initiator increased the leakage.     

Temperature rise during Er:YAG and Nd:YAP laser ablation of dentin

This in vitro study compared temperature rises during cavity preparation with an Er:YAG laser, Nd:YAP laser, and a high-speed handpiece. Eighteen teeth were sectioned longitudinally and divided into six groups: group 1 was treated with a carbide bur on a high-speed dental handpiece; group 2 was treated with an Er:YAG laser with an energy of 140 mJ, a pulse repetition rate of 4 Hz; and group 3 was treated with an Nd:YAP laser with an energy of 240 mJ, a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz. In these groups no water cooling was used. Groups 4 to 6 were treated in the same way, but with water spray. Temperature increases were measured at different dentin thicknesses by a microthermocouple attached to the inner side of the pulp chamber. Water cooling was essential to reduce temperature effects in all groups. Nd:YAP laser induced significantly higher temperature rises than Er:YAG or handpiece. Temperature response to the Er:YAG laser and the handpiece seemed to be similar.     

Effects of Nd: YAG laser, air-abrasion and acid-etching on human enamel and dentin

The effects of the Nd:YAG laser, air-abrasion and acid-etching systems on mineral content and surface morphology of cut dentin and enamel were examined in 10 extracted human teeth. Enamel specimens were lased for two seconds at a fluence of 0.75 J and a frequency of 15 Hz, air-abraded for two seconds with 50 micron Al-oxide and etched for 60 seconds with 37% ortho-phosphoric acid. Dentinal specimens were subjected to the same procedure for half the time. Untreated areas of the same specimens served as the control. Morphologically, the lased dentin showed an apparently melted surface with partial obstruction of the dentin tubules, as well as cracks along the lased surface. Air-abrasion created very irregular surfaces on enamel and dentin. Dentin tubules were observed on the acid-etched dentin samples but not the air-abraded surfaces. The Nd:YAG laser created the most surface irregularity on both enamel and dentin. Laser treatment appeared to alter the chemical structure and surface morphology of the dentin and enamel.     

3D volume-ablation rate and thermal side effects with the Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of a variety of parameters on the effectiveness of hard substance ablation and the thermal side effects when using Er:YAG laser (Key I and II, KaVo) and Nd:YAG laser (SunLase 800, Sunrise Technologies/Orbis). METHODS: For this study, ablation and temperature measurements were carried out on 170 dentin slices and 170 extracted teeth via computer-controlled cavity preparation. The Er:YAG laser settings varied from 250-400 mJ/pulse, 3-15 pps and 20-180 s processing time, and in the case of the Nd:YAG laser from 83-100 mJ/pulse, 10-20 pps, and 20-260 s processing time. The ablation rate was measured volumetrically via a 3D sensor. Temperatures were measured for each setting both on the dentin slice and in the pulp of the extracted teeth. The results were analyzed using a t-test for independent samples and a one-way ANOVA (Bonferroni). Also a liner regression analysis was done using Pearson's coefficient. RESULTS: The results show that with the Er:YAG laser, in combination with water-spray cooling, an effective 3D ablation rate (up to 0.017 mm3/pulse = 50 microns linear) can be achieved without raising the temperature of the surrounding tissue. In the case of the Nd:YAG laser, no measurable ablation rate was evident without conditioning of the dentin surface and, in the case of conditioning with black ink, a low ablation rate (0.00004 mm3/pulse = linear 0.2 micron/pulse) was found. SIGNIFICANCE: In contrast to the Er:YAG laser, it is apparent, that with the Nd:YAG laser from a total energy of 80 J onwards, the rise in temperature in the pulp is above 8 degrees C. For that reason, the use of the Nd:YAG laser at higher total energies is not recommended. The temperature rise with the Nd:YAG laser is dependent on the direction of the dentin tubuli. Dentin tubuli running parallel to the surface prevent significant heat penetration, whereas those running in a transverse direction to the surface (= parallel to the laser beam) support the penetration of heat. This finding supports the light-propagating theory for spreading effects of laser beams in dentin.     

Nd：YAG激光用于狗牙直接盖髓术的实验研究

目的：观察Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光照射暴露牙髓后的盖髓术疗效。方法：用肉眼和组织学切片法。结果：１０７个狗牙露髓面用３个不同参数（１５９２ｍＪ／ｍｍ２、３１８５ｍＪ／ｍｍ２、４７７７ｍＪ／ｍｍ２）Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光照射５ｓ后用氢氧化钙盖髓，与单纯氢氧化钙组比较，发现：低能量Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光有刺激照射区和侧方修复性牙本质形成、促进创伤愈合作用，而高能量Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光照射则可能引起牙髓变性坏死。结论：低能量Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光有一定的促进创伤愈合作用，但在Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光用于照射露髓面牙髓前，还应该对促进牙本质桥形成的Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光照射条件进行更详细研究。     

Nd：YAG激光清除龋坏牙本质的作用：扫描电镜研究

清除龋坏牙本质是Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光在口腔科的重要应用之一。本研究目的的评价Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光应用于清除龋坏牙本质的效果以及对龋坏下正常牙本质形态改变的应用。实验用Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光照射处理离体牙牙本本质浅龋区,然后对实验区作扫描电镜观察。结果发现：激光参数在１５ｐｐｓ,６０ｍＪ／ｐ时,牙本质表面龋坏组织基本清除干净,牙本质小管口缩小,管间牙本质粗糙。     

Effects of Nd: YAG laser irradiation on the adaptation of composite resins to root dentin

One of the most important goals of the restoration of endodontically treated teeth with a composite resin post system is to achieve good adaptation of the composite material to dentin walls to prevent microleakage apically and coronally. In post core systems, to avoid microleakage between the dentin wall and resin material, laser irradiation may seem to be an alternative therapy for increasing adaptation quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptation of a packable composite resin to lased root canal dentin when it was used as post material. Forty-five freshly extracted human teeth were selected and post spaces were prepared. The teeth were divided into three groups. In group 1 the dentin of the post spaces were etched with 35% phosphoric acid, in group 2 the dentin surfaces were irradiated with an Nd: YAG laser, and in group 3 the dentin surfaces were initially treated with the laser and then etched. The teeth of all groups were obturated with a bonding agent and composite. The groups were divided into two subgroups: a group for the scanning electron microscope (SEM) study and a group for the microleakage study. The lased group showed poor adaptation and more microleakage was detected (p<0.05; variance analysis). The laser beam and acid-etching showed no advantage compared to the acid-etching alone (p>0.05). The Nd: YAG laser irradiation adversely affects adhesion to dentin for using composite resin as a post material and does not constitute an alternative to acid-etching.     

Effects of Nd:YAG laser on apical seal of teeth after apicoectomy and retrofill.

The application of Nd:YAG laser to tooth surface can change its surface permeability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Nd:YAG laser on the permeability of dentin following apicoectomy and retrofill. Sixty single-rooted teeth were randomly assigned to six groups of 10 teeth each. The six groups were arranged in three pairs, experimental and control groups. The canals of teeth in pairs 1 and 2 were cleaned, shaped, obturated, and their apical 2 mm were resected. A class I preparation was prepared and filled with amalgam in each tooth in pair 1. The apical 2 mm of each tooth in pair 3 was removed, and a class I preparation was prepared and filled with amalgam. The apical surface of resected roots in half of the samples in each pair was lased twice by using Nd:YAG laser. The duration of lasing and the number of pulses were recorded for each tooth. After application of nail polish to the unoperated surface of each tooth, the teeth were placed in 0.5% methylene blue dye for 48 h. The amount of dye penetration in sagittal sections of each tooth was measured. The amount of dye penetration was significantly lower in lased roots than in nonlased ones (p < 0.05). Based on our results, it appears that application of Nd:YAG laser reduces the permeability of resected roots.     

The sealing ability of an epoxy resin root canal sealer after Nd:YAG laser irradiation of the root canal

AIM: To evaluate ex vivo the effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation with and without black ink on instrumented root canal walls, and the degree of both coronal and apical microleakage of filled root canals. METHODOLOGY: Seventy-two single-rooted teeth were instrumented up to a size 40 K-file, and then divided into six groups of 10 teeth: groups 1 and 4 remained unlased and acted as control groups, groups 2 and 5 were treated with a Nd:YAG laser (Fidelis Plus, Herzele, Belgium), groups 3 and 6 were treated with a laser and black ink; the remaining 12 teeth served as positive and negative controls. The laser was operated at 1.5 W, 15 Hz, four times for 5 s with a 20-s interval. Groups 4-6 were filled using cold lateral condensation of gutta-percha and AH26. After storage in water for 48 h at 37 degrees C, through-and-through leakage (L in microL day-1) was measured for 48 h under a pressure of 1.2 atm using a fluid transport model and recorded as L=0 (L1), 010 (L3). After the assessment of leakage with the fluid transport model, the teeth were immersed in rhodamine B solution for 48 h at 37 degrees C. Apical and coronal dye leakage was scored after longitudinal splitting of these teeth. All teeth of groups 1-3 were split longitudinally and observed under SEM for evaluation of remaining smear layer. RESULTS: Through-and-through leakage was only observed in the group lased with black ink (two samples-L2). Apical and coronal dye leakage was observed in all groups; there were no statistically significant differences amongst the three experimental groups. The through-and-through leakage, measured with the fluid transport model in two teeth of group 6, was confirmed in the dye leakage test (rhodamine B dye was observed along the total length of the root filling). There was evidence of melted and ablated root canal dentine in the laser-treated groups. These findings were more obvious in root canals lased in association with black ink. All apical foramina in the lased group remained patent. CONCLUSIONS: Nd:YAG laser irradiation with black ink increased the amount of melted and ablated dentine areas compared with that without black ink. Nd:YAG lasing in association with black ink did not result in a reduction of either coronal or apical microleakage in root filled teeth.     

脉冲Nd：YAG激光照射对牙本质通透性的影响

本实验用不同能量参数的脉冲Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光；分别照射牙本质窝洞底部，电镜观察和测定牙本质通透性，研究激光对牙本质的作用，初步探讨Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光脱敏的机制。结果显示：０．６Ｗ（４０ｍＪ、１５Ｈｚ）组的牙本质通透性与对照组无统计学差异；０．９Ｗ（６０ｍＪ、１５Ｈｚ）和１．２Ｗ（８０ｍＪ，１５Ｈｚ）组的牙本质通透性明显增加。ＳＥＭ示所有激光组牙本质融熔、牙本质小管口模糊不清，洞底小管口部分被融熔物质阻塞。提示Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光脱敏，可能存在其他的生物学脱敏机制。     

The effect of pulpotomy using CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers on dental pulp tissue

The histological response of the dental pulp after laser irradiation was studied. After pulpotomy was performed in the premolar and molar teeth of dogs, the exposed pulp tissue at the root canal opening was lased using either a CO₂ or Nd:YAG laser. The laser parameters were 2 W, 10 ms, 5 times per second for 1, 2 and 3 s for CO₂ laser and 2 W, 20 pulses per second for 1, 2 and 3 s for the Nd:YAG laser. Observations were made 30 and 45 days after treatment. The results revealed that laser irradiation caused carbonization, necrosis, infiltration of inflammation cells, oedema and haemorrhage in the pulp tissue. Under the conditions of this experiment, there was little histological evidence of repair to the treated pulp with a newly formed dentine barrier, which was in contrast to the control samples treated with a calcium hydroxide-containing cement (Dycal).     

Nd: YAG激光对3种树脂水门汀与牙本质粘接强度的影响

目的观察Nd: YAG激光照射前后树脂水门汀-牙本质粘接界面的微观形貌特征,评价Nd: YAG激光对3种树脂水门汀与牙本质间粘接强度的影响。方法选择人离体前磨牙30颗,分为颊、舌两部分,将试件随机分为激光组和对照组。激光组以0.8 W、10 Hz脉冲Nd: YAG激光作用于牙本质表面25 s,联合3种树脂水门汀RelyX ARC、Panavia F和RelyX Unicem充填;对照组直接使用树脂水门汀充填。然后测试剪切强度,在根管显微镜下观察断裂模式并分类。另选人离体前磨牙6颗,按照标准的牙本质粘接面预备后,使用Nd: YAG激光照射3颗牙牙本质表面,并联合充填不同的树脂水门汀,用扫描电镜观察Nd: YAG激光照射前后树脂水门汀-牙本质界面的微观形貌变化。结果
激光照射可以提高自酸蚀树脂水门汀Panavia F和自粘接树脂水门汀RelyX Unicem与牙本质之间的剪切强度（P＜0.05）。激光会降低全酸蚀树脂水门汀RelyX ARC与牙本质间的剪切强度（P＜0.05）。根管显微镜下观察可见：试件断裂大部分发生在树脂水门汀-牙本质界面。扫描电镜观察可见：Nd: YAG激光照射后,全酸蚀亚组和自酸蚀亚组的混合层变薄、树脂突变短且少;自粘接亚组变化不明显,未见树脂突。结论Nd: YAG激光照射后,可提高Panavia F和RelyX Unicem与牙本质的剪切强度,建议临床联合应用。     

超声波预备根管与Nd：YAG激光照射后根管牙本质的SEM研究

目的：评价超声预备根管及Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ 激光照射根管壁后,根管内壁的清洁度和管壁牙本质微结构的变化。方法：１２ 个离体成人上前牙分为４ 组制备根管：手用器械、超声根管治疗仪、手用器械＋ Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ 激光照射、超声波＋ Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ 激光照射,扫描电镜下观察并照像记录。结果：手用扩锉预备的根管内壁有涂层污染和病理组织残留;超声波预备后根管内壁清洁、涂层消除,牙本质小管口开放;手用器械或超声制备后辅以适当能量激光照射的管内壁牙本质小管口封闭,管间牙本质熔融,并形成空泡状结晶。结论：超声波预备根管可达到理想的清洁效果,但牙本质小管口开放易造成根管术后渗漏。而Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ 激光照射有利于封闭牙本质小管口,减少根尖孔渗漏,还具有封闭根管内壁死腔的作用。     

Er:YAG laser in defocused mode for scaling of periodontally involved root surfaces: an in vitro pilot study

BACKGROUND: The Er:YAG laser may be used on periodontally involved teeth in combination with conventional periodontal therapy in order to improve the efficacy of root instrumentation. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of hand instrumentation on root surfaces of periodontally involved teeth with Er:YAG laser application. METHODS: Thirty freshly extracted, non-carious, single-rooted, periodontally diseased human teeth from adult humans with advanced periodontal disease were used in this study. The teeth were divided into three groups of 10 specimens each. Group A was treated with scaling and root planing (SRP) with curets only (control). In group B, the root surfaces were scaled with curets and then lased with an Er:YAG laser (wavelength 2.94 microm). A handpiece with a water spray was used in non-contact mode (defocused) at a distance of 1 cm from root surface. Laser parameters were set at energy of 100 to 200 mJ/pulse, with 10 Hz of frequency. In group C, the root surfaces were lased only with power settings 250 to 300 mJ/pulse and 10 Hz frequency. An epon-araldite plastic embedding technique was used for light microscopic investigation. RESULTS: Histologic findings showed significant differences between the test and control sites. In control sites, after hand instrumentation, the surface was smooth, without a cementum layer, and the dentin layer presented opened tubules. Defects on the dentin layer were also present along root surfaces. In the test sites (B, C) root surfaces revealed no thermal damage; no cracking or tissue carbonization were observed. The superficial layers of lased surfaces appeared smooth and melted without alterations. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it appears that it may be feasible to use the Er:YAG laser for root instrumentation without prior root planing if the proper parameters are followed.     

脉冲Nd：YAG激光照射对牙本质通透性的影响

应用牙本质通透性测定装置，定量测定脉冲Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光在不同参数条件下照射后对牙本质通透性的影响。结果表明：在４个不同的激光参数条件下，激光照射后牙本质通透性均较照射前呈显著性下降，其中以每秒１５个脉冲０．７５Ｗ的２．０ｍｉｎ组和每秒１５个脉冲１．００Ｗ的２．０ｍｉｎ组下降最为明显，与每秒１５个脉冲０．７５Ｗ的１．５ｍｉｎ组之间呈显著性差异（ＦＫＰＦＦ＜０．０５）。提示脉冲Ｎｄ：ＹＡＧ激光在一定参数条件下照射，可熔融和封闭牙本质小管，是治疗牙齿敏感症的有效手段之一     

Irradiation of human dental tissues with CO2-, Nd:YAG-, and CO2-Nd:YAG combination laser.

Extracted third molars were used to study the effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation combined with CO2 laser beam on dental hard tissues. The specimens were studied with SEM after lasing and the size of the impact areas and beam penetration into enamel and dentin were planimetrically analyzed. High-energy CO2 laser (e.g. 10 s irradiation with 10 W output energy) penetrated all enamel and dentin. The simultaneous addition of Nd:YAG irradiation to the CO2 beam was found to increase the effect of CO2 laser, while Nd:YAG irradiation alone, used with equivalent energy densities, did not cause any effect on enamel surface. Thus, Nd:YAG laser was found to potentiate statistically significantly the effect of CO2 irradiation, but the morphologic alterations on dental hard tissues, such as crater formation at the beam focus site, appeared to be due to CO2 irradiation alone.     

Effect of Er:YAG laser irradiation on acid resistance to bovine dentin in vitro

Resin bond strength to Er:YAG laser irradiated dentin has been reported to be lower than that of unlased dentin. The reasons have been much discussed, but not clarified. One hypothetical cause has been discussed that lased dentin is acid resistant, therefore, the etching effect of acid conditions decreases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acid resistance of laser-irradiated dentin and compare it with the dissolved mineral of Er:YAG laser irradiated dentin and unlased dentin. This experiment was a pilot study to assess the etching effect of pre-conditioner for resin bonding to lased dentin. Bovine dentin was irradiated by Er:YAG laser and immersed in 0.1 M lactic buffer solution (pH 4.0). The dissolved Ca and P in the solution were then both measured. Dissolved Ca from lased dentin was not significantly different from that coming from unlased dentin (p > 0.05). The molar ratio of Ca/P did not differ significantly between lased and unlased dentin, either (p > 0.05). Under FE-SEM view before immersion, the dentin surface was covered with a smear layer in unlased dentin, but this layer was not clearly observed in lased dentin. These results suggested that the lased dentin had little or no resistance to lactic buffer solution.     

应用Nd:YAG激光防龋的研究进展

Nd:YAG激光因能改变牙齿硬组织的表面形态、改变釉质和牙本质的晶体结构、促进牙齿硬组织对氟的吸收而被应用于预防龋病。本文着重就Nd:YAG激光对牙体硬组织的作用，对牙齿硬组织吸氟能力的影响以及对牙髓的影响等方面的研究进展作一综述。     

The combined occluding effect of sodium fluoride varnish and Nd:YAG laser irradiation on human dentinal tubules.

Various methods and materials used in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity are thought to achieve a therapeutic benefit by tubule occlusion. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combined occluding effect of sodium fluoride varnish and Nd:YAG laser irradiation on human dentinal tubules. Thirty-six dentin specimens with exposed dentinal tubule orifices were used in this study. The samples were randomly divided into four groups. Groups A, B, and C were varnished by sodium fluoride, whereas group D served as a control. Then, group C was lased by 30 mJ of Nd:YAG laser, 10 pulses/s for 2 min by light painting. Three hours later, groups B and C were brushed by an electrical toothbrush for 30 min. Under SEM observation, the control group showed numerous exposed dentinal tubule orifices, and the sodium fluoride varnished specimens showed closure of exposed dentinal tubule orifices. After electrical toothbrushing, most of the sodium fluoride varnish was brushed away, except in the specimens that were irradiated by Nd:YAG laser. Over 90% of the dentinal tubule orifices were occluded by sodium fluoride varnish combined with Nd:YAG laser irradiation.     

Nd:YAG激光在牙齿漂白中的应用效果分析

目的评价532nm Nd:YAG激光在牙齿漂白技术中的临床应用效果。方法选择因氟斑牙、四环素牙、增龄因素导致的牙色暗黄的着色牙患者256例,采用连续输出的532nm Nd:YAG激光,功率设置为1W,照光时间设置为30秒,对不同类型着色牙进行漂白,并与托盘漂白术相对照,通过VITA比色分别就氟斑牙、四环素牙、增龄性黄牙漂白术前及术后的色度变化、术后3个月疗效、术中及术后牙本质过敏发生情况进行比较。结果对氟斑牙、四环素牙及增龄性黄牙532nm Nd:YAG激光漂白法即刻疗效均优于药物托盘漂白法(P<0.05)。而激光漂白组和托盘漂白组在3个月后复查,两者之间治疗上仍有统计学上的差异(P<0.05)。对术中或术后过敏情况进行比较,激光漂白法显著少于较托盘漂白法(P<0.05)。结论532nm Nd:YAG激光漂白法脱色效果显著,较少发生术中或术后过敏。