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Use of coaxial water mist spray alters the ablation properties of human radicular dentine for the Holmium: YAG laser
Author(s) -
George R,
Walsh LJ
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2007.tb06124.x
Subject(s) - coaxial , george (robot) , citation , dentistry , medicine , computer science , library science , telecommunications , artificial intelligence
Holmium:yttrium aluminium garnet (Ho:YAG) lasers emit energy in the middle infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum (2.1 μm wavelength), where water is the major absorber.1 Because of the absorption of this laser in soft tissues, it has proven useful in vascular surgery, urology, neurosurgery, and arthroscopic surgery, including within the temporomandibular joint, providing effective ablation without collateral thermal damage. Despite the various uses of the Ho:YAG laser in medicine and oral surgery since the late 1980s, this laser wavelength has not found wide application for dental hard tissue modification or ablation. Because the 2.1 μm matches a harmonic for water absorption, the possibility of ablation of dental hard tissues, and in particular radicular dentine, using Ho:YAG laser energy is of interest for possible clinical use, for example, in endodontics. Unlike the Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG wavelengths, Ho:YAG laser energy can be delivered effectively using flexible quartz glass optical fibers. Compared to the erbium lasers, interactions of the Ho:YAG laser with dental hard tissues have been less extensively examined. Initial studies of enamel and dentine ablation suggested that the wavelength had promise, particularly when compared to less well absorbed wavelengths in the near infrared region.2 In these previous studies, the laser energy was delivered without accompanying water mist spray, and thermal side effects were a concern. Coaxial Water Mist Spray Alters the Ablation Properties of Human Radicular Dentine for the Holmium:YAG Laser