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Structural changes in dental enamel induced by high energy continuous wave carbon dioxide laser
Author(s) -
Pogrel M. A.,
Muff D. F.,
Marshall G. W.
Publication year - 1993
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.1900130115
Subject(s) - enamel paint , materials science , carbon dioxide laser , scanning electron microscope , tooth enamel , laser , carbon dioxide , composite material , dentistry , optics , chemistry , laser surgery , medicine , physics , organic chemistry
The morphological changes in dental enamel exposed to a high energy continuous beam surgical carbon dioxide laser were studied with a wet‐scanning electron microscope. Utilizing a 1 mm focused beam, energy levels of 5, 10, and 12.5 watts were applied to the external enamel surface of teeth for between 0.05 and 2 seconds. Subsequent examination showed melting and resolidi‐fication of the surface enamel. Examination in cross section revealed three different zones of change, which were consistent in thickness. The outer layer of melted and resolidified enamel approximates 100 μm in width, whereas the next zone of acid resistant amorphous enamel measures only 12 μm in width and the third zone of porous enamel measures ∼ 110 μm in width. Though of no immediate practical value in dentistry, the exact physical chemical changes occurring in the enamel warrant further investigation. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.