title: Effect of CO2 laser on Class V cavities of human molar teeth under a scanning electron microscope.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of CO2 laser on dentin of class V cavities of extracted human molar teeth using a scanning electron microscope. SEM showed a smooth area with concentric lines formed by melting with subsequent recrystallization of dentin, areas of granulation, vitrified surface, numerous cracks, and irregular areas of descamative dentin. These data indicate that CO2 laser (4 and 6 watts) produces dentin alterations and limit its clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Anatomia, ICB-USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brugnera
authors.forename: A Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Gardini
mesh_terms: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003804:Dentin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008963:Molar
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide