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In situ testing of CO 2 laser on dental pulp function: Effects on microcirculation
Author(s) -
Friedman Shimon,
Liu Mintsai,
DörscherKim Jutta,
Kim Syngcuk
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.1900110403
Subject(s) - microcirculation , pulp (tooth) , irradiation , laser doppler velocimetry , laser , dentistry , enamel paint , materials science , molar , blood flow , biomedical engineering , medicine , optics , physics , nuclear physics
The effect of CO 2 laser irradiation on pulpal microcirculation was studied in cat canines. The enamel surfaces of 4 teeth were exposed with energy densities of 304‐1440J/cm 2 , using either a handpiece or a microslad, with a focal spot of 0.21mm and 0.33mm respectively. Pulpal blood flow (PBF) before and following lasing was recorded through the intact tooth surface by a laser Doppler flowmeter. CO 2 laser irradiation caused an increase in PBF, which was immediate and transient. The PBF increase was higher in a large pulp than in a small pulp, and it was inversely related to the focal spot size. These findings confirm that the dental pulp is thermally affected by CO 2 lasing of the tooth surface, however, without extensive pulp coagulation. It is concluded that the effects of laser irradiation on the pulpal microcirculation may be studied in situ by means of the presented methodology.