title: Effect of XeCl-308nm excimer laser on the mineral content of human dentin.
abstract: The effect of the XeCl-308nm excimer laser on the mineral content and surface morphology of cut dentin was examined in ten extracted human teeth. Each dentin specimen was lased for 4 s at a fluence of 1 J/cm2 and a frequency of 25 Hz. Non-lased area of the same specimen served as control. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry revealed a significant decrease in the phosphorus levels following laser treatment. A decrease in calcium levels also occurred but was not statistically significant. Nonsignificant changes in sulphur and potassium levels were also noted. Morphologically, the lased dentin showed an apparently melted surface with partial obstruction of the dentin tubules as well as cracks along the lased surface. Therefore, it appeared that laser treatment may alter the chemical structure as well as the surface morphology of the dentin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dankner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neev
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stabholz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rotstein
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003806:Dentin Permeability / Q000528:radiation effects; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014978:Xenon
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D014978:Xenon; D013455:Sulfur; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium