title: Morphological changes induced by short pulse hydrogen fluoride laser radiation on dental hard tissue and restorative materials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The potential benefits of the effects of lasers on dental tissues have yet to be realized but may be brought closer through the availability of a suitable laser. The objective of this project is to examine the surface morphological changes resulting from hydrogen fluoride (HF) laser radiation on tooth and restorative material surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hydrogen fluoride laser emitting at 2.9 microns is used to interact with a range of dental hard tissue and restorative materials. The surface morphological changes induced by 100 mJ pulses of < 1 microsecond duration is studied using a SEM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The irradiated surfaces displayed microstructures similar to those of a mechanically fractured surface with no evidence of melting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that tissue is removed by microexplosion, leaving a surface free from thermal damage with surface characteristics that would appear to facilitate the adhesion of restorative materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Health, Dental School, University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Rickwood
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003804:Dentin / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007834:Lasers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008963:Molar
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D003723:Dental Amalgam