Tubule-occluding effect of desensitizing laser treatment on prepared dentin surfaces: an environmental SEM study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to demonstrate the dentinal tubule-occluding effect of desensitizing laser treatment on dentin surfaces using environmental scanning electron microscopy (E-SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ground dentin surfaces were divided into 5 areas. Each area received a different mode of laser irradiation (low potency [LP] versus high potency [HP] and short time [ST] versus long time [LT]). Lased dentin surfaces were viewed and graded under E-SEM at x5000 magnification. RESULTS: The tubule closure rates of 4 different irradiation modes were as follows: LP/LT (74%) > HP/ST (70%) > LP/ST (51%) > HP/LT (46%) > control (6%). CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that desensitizing laser application was an efficient treatment option for the occlusion of dentinal tubule apertures.