Combined effect of fluoride varnish to Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser on permeability of eroded root dentine

ObjectiveThis study evaluated the combined effect of fluoride varnish to Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser on permeability of eroded root dentine.DesignSixty slabs of bovine root dentine (2 × 2 × 2 mm) were eroded with citric acid 0.3% (pH 3.2) during 2 h and then kept in artificial saliva during 24 h. Specimens were randomly assigned in 6 groups (n = 10), to receive the following treatments: fluoride varnish; fluoride varnish + Er:YAG laser; fluoride varnish + Nd:YAG laser; non-fluoride varnish; non-fluoride varnish + Er:YAG laser; non-fluoride varnish + Nd:YAG laser. The Er:YAG (100 mJ, 3 Hz) and Nd:YAG (70 mJ, 15 Hz) were applied for 10 s. Specimens were subjected to further erosive challenges with citric acid 0.3% 4×/day, during 1 min, for 5 days, remaining in artificial saliva between cycles. Dentin permeability was then assessed. Two-way ANOVA demonstrated no significant interaction between laser and varnish (p = 0.858).ResultsNo effect was also detected for the main factor varnish (p = 0.768), while permeability of eroded root dentin was significantly lower when such substrate was laser-irradiated, no matter the laser source (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study concluded that Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers can be employed to control the permeability of eroded root dentin, regardless of fluoride varnish application.