title: Laser-matrix-fluoride effects on enamel demineralization.
abstract: Laser and fluoride have been shown to inhibit enamel demineralization. However, the role of organic matrix and their interactions remains unclear. This study investigated the interaction among CO2 laser irradiation, fluoride, and the organic matrix on the demineralization of human enamel. Twenty-four molars were selected and cut into halves. One half of each tooth was depleted of its lipid and protein. The other half served as a matched control. Each tooth half had two window areas, treated with a 2.0% NaF gel. All left windows then received a laser treatment. Next, the tooth halves were subjected to a four-day pH-cycling procedure that created caries-like lesions. Tooth sections were cut from the windows, and microradiographs were used for quantification of the demineralization. The combined fluoride-laser treatment led to 98.3% and 95.1% reductions in mineral loss for enamel with and without organic matrix, respectively, when compared with sound enamel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Dederich
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wefel
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008055:Lipids / Q000502:physiology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008963:Molar; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D012969:Sodium Fluoride