title: [A comparison of 3 laser systems for dental enamel ablation].
abstract: Three different laser systems were compared according to their applicability in dentistry: a Ho:YAG laser (lambda = 2, 12 microns, pulse duration = 250 microseconds and 4 microseconds, pulse energy up to 300 mJ), an Er:YAG laser (lambda = 2,94 microns, pulse duration = 60-100 microseconds, pulse energy up to 100 mJ) and an in dentistry so far unknown picosecond Nd:YLF laser (lambda = 1,053 microns, pulse duration = 30 ps, pulse energy up to 1 mJ). The morphological changes of the enamel due to laser radiation were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Possible enamel fractures were visualized with dye penetration tests. Thermally caused, about 3 mm long enamel fractures were only observed using the Ho:YAG laser. Smaller fractures, up to 300 microns, were generated with the Ho:YAG and the Er:YAG laser. The Nd:YLF laser produced well defined square cavities with a high precision. No enamel fractures could be observed. The dye penetration in the cavity walls was less than 20 microns.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Angewandte Physik, Universität Heidelberg.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Niemz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eisenmann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pioch
mesh_terms: D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
vernacular_title: Vergleich von drei Lasersystemen zur Abtragung von Zahnschmelz.