title: [Lasers in dentistry 3. The use of lasers for the prevention of dental caries].
abstract: Studies in our laboratories have demonstrated that specifically chosen CO2 laser treatment of dental enamel can markedly inhibit subsequent caries-like progression compared to controls in a laboratory model. Optimum caries inhibition in enamel appears to be achieved by pretreatments that produce surface temperatures in the range of 800-1200 degrees C. For clinical application the surface enamel heating must not lead to consequent pulp chamber temperature rises of > 4 degrees C. To meet these conditions a pulsed laser is required with a sufficiently high absorption coefficient (wavelength = 9.3 or 9.6 microns), pulse duration of 5-100 microseconds, 10-25 pulses per spot, repetition rate of 10-30 pulses per second, and low but effective fluence (approximately 1-5 J/cm2/pulse). A human intra-oral study has confirmed inhibition of caries progression in the human mouth. The clinical potential is good for caries preventive treatments by specific carbon dioxide laser conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California, Box 0758, 707 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. jdbf@itsa.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: J D B
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Featherstone
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide
vernacular_title: Lasers in de tandheelkunde 3. Het gebruik van lasers voor de preventie van cariës.