title: An experimental technique to repair cracked teeth using calcium phosphate, melted by a laser beam: an in vitro evaluation.
abstract: Using a neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser beam to seal vertical root fracture lines with tricalcium phosphate paste represents an alternative treatment for cracked teeth with noted clinical results. This article describes a study of the permeability of molten crystals of hydroxyapatite in the dentin of a cracked root after crack lines have been filled with a preparation of tricalcium phosphate melted by a neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser beam. The morphology of the sealed cracks was analyzed under a scanning electron microscope that showed a deep fusion of tricalcium phosphate along crack lines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Loma Linda University, California, USA.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Koubi
mesh_terms: D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003738:Dental Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003763:Dental Leakage; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods*; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003806:Dentin Permeability; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009354:Neodymium; D013674:Technology, Dental; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries*
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D003738:Dental Cements; C485828:alpha-tricalcium phosphate; C485830:tetracalcium phosphate; D009354:Neodymium; C485838:calcium phosphate, monobasic, anhydrous; C020243:calcium phosphate; C485829:calcium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous