Adhesive Adjustment of Enamel and Dentin by Er:YAGLaser

Overview

Preparation of hard dental tissues by Er:
YAG laser represents an alternative ofclassical mechanical preparation. In view of the mechanism of removing dental tissues (microexplosion)the given way of preparation is suitable especially for adhesive materials. Whenusing energy around 100 mJ/cm2 a system of unevenness develops in enamel and dentin, whichmay be used for mechanical retention of composite materials.The author informsabout electronmicroscopic picture of enamel and dentin after irradiation by Er:YAG laser of the energy 105mJ/cm2. The appearance of enamel resembles the situation after etching with orthophosphoricacid – the prismatic structure is evident,but the ends of enamel prismsare rounded.The surfaceof dentin is uneven with apparent entrances into the dentin tubules, which is narrower incomparison with dentin treated with orthophosphoric acid. The adhesive preparation of hardtooth tissues by laser radiation is well-founded especially in such cases, where the „laseretching“ fluently follows after preparation of cavity.

Key words:
laser etching – adhesive preparation