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Effect of the ArF excimer laser on human enamel
Author(s) -
Feuerstein Osnat,
Palanker Daniel,
Fuxbrunner Amihay,
Lewis Aaron,
Deutsch Dan
Publication year - 1992
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.1900120503
Subject(s) - enamel paint , excimer laser , irradiation , scanning electron microscope , fluence , materials science , excimer , ablation , laser , glaze , microscopy , optics , composite material , medicine , ceramic , physics , nuclear physics
Human enamel surface was irradiated with ArF excimer laser and examined under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Enamel surface was irradiated at three different areas with different energy fluences. It is demonstrated that the ArF excimer laser causes ablation of the calcified hard enamel tissue. Ablation curves were measured. There was no significant difference found in the etch depth between the three different areas of enamal surface. The morphology of the irradiated areas seen under the SEM was found to be dependent on energy flu‐ence. It changed with increase in energy fluence from being etched to forming a smooth, fused, glaze‐like surface and then at very high energy fluences producing a rough surface. The influence of the laser irradiation was confined to the irradiated area only, with no visible heat damage to the surroundings. These results suggest that excimer laser could be applied in a controlled and defined manner for tooth enamel treatments in dentistry. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.