title: The effect of Nd:YAG radiation at nanosecond pulse duration on dentine crater depth.
abstract: The effect of laser parameters on laser-dentine interaction is little known. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the effect on dentine crater depth of Nd:YAG laser radiation in relation to pulse repetition rate, total delivered energy, dentine site and the presence or absence of a dye. One hundred and forty-four sound third molars were extracted and sectioned transversely to provide 288 upper and lower cut surfaces. The upper surfaces were painted with a layer of dye (IR5) suitable for absorption at 1064 nm. The specimens were divided into 12 sub-groups each containing 12 upper and 12 lower specimens. These were exposed to a Nd:YAG laser with a 30 nanosecond (ns) pulse duration. This laser operated in a non-contact mode (spot diameter 165 microm) with pulse repetition rates of 2.5, 5.4 and 10.5 Hz. Four total energies were delivered at each repetition rate; 2.3, 3.63, 3.96, 4.29 joule (J) at 2.5 Hz repetition rate; 2.3, 2.64, 3.63, 4.29 J at 5.4 and 10.5 Hz repetition rates. Five outer and three inner sites were irradiated on each specimen. Each dentine crater depth was measured five times using a Reflex Microscope and a three-dimensional centre of gravity derived. An upper and lower specimen were taken from each sub-group and viewed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). ANOVA was applied: total delivered energy and dyed/undyed were found to have a statistically significant effect on crater depth (p<0.0001). In general increasing energy and the presence of dye produced deeper craters. Inner/outer dentine location and repetition rate were not found to be statistically significant. All craters were carbonised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Eastman Dental Institute and Hospital for Oral Health Care Sciences, University of London, UK. a.mcdonald@eastman.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Claffey
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Blau
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Setchell
mesh_terms: D003804:Dentin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009354:Neodymium
chemical_list: D009354:Neodymium