title: Enamel surface roughness analysis after laser ablation and acid-etching.
abstract: Laser-roughened enamel surfaces have been shown to provide for greater acid-resistance and enhanced restorative material/enamel bond strength. Extracted tooth enamel was irradiated with several lasers: CO2/Nd:YAG (CW), CO2 (RSP), Nd:YAG (CW), Nd:YAG (Q-switched), Argon (CW), and Ar:F excimer. Additional teeth were acid-etched. Energy densities were standardized at 25.47 J/cm2 for all mediums. Surface profile analyses were conducted with a profilometer to determine the amount of enamel surface roughness. The acid-etched samples exhibited both a greater amount of surface roughness and a qualitatively different type of enamel surface morphology than the laser-treated specimens. Independent use of the CO2 and Nd:YAG beams exhibited a moderate amount of roughness, while the coaxial CO2/Nd:YAG beam displayed surface roughness approaching that of the acid-etch samples. Different laser mediums produce enamel surface morphologies that are characteristic of a variety of inherent lasing parameters.
authors: Department of Operative Dentistry, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas 75246.
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Arcoria
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Lippas
authors: B A
authors: BA
authors: Vitasek
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001128:Argon; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008334:Mandible; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008963:Molar; D009354:Neodymium; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D013499:Surface Properties; D015019:Yttrium
chemical_list: D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009354:Neodymium; D015019:Yttrium; D001128:Argon; C030242:phosphoric acid