Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis of bone removal using Er:YAG and CO2 lasers.
BACKGROUND
A thorough analysis of laser-ablated bone tissue is required before applying the technique to osseous surgery. In this study, we examine the morphological features and chemical composition of the bone surface after Er:YAG and CO2 lasers ablation.


METHODS
Six Wistar rats were used. An Er:YAG laser was used for ablation at an output energy of 100 mJ/pulse and a pulse rate of 10 Hz (1 W). Continuous CO2 laser irradiation was performed at an output energy of 1 W. Sites drilled using a conventional micromotor were used as controls. Analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed.


RESULTS
Er:YAG laser ablation produced a groove with similar dimensions to that produced by bur drilling, whereas the CO2 laser produced only a charred line with minimal tissue removal. SEM observations revealed that the groove produced by the Er:YAG laser had well-defined edges and a smear layer-free surface with a characteristically rough appearance and with entrapped fibrin-like tissue. The melting and carbonization produced by the CO2 laser were not observed on sites irradiated by the Er:YAG laser. FTIR spectroscopy revealed that the chemical composition of the bone surface after Er:YAG laser ablation was much the same as that following bur drilling. The production of toxic substances that occurred after CO2 laser irradiation was not observed following Er:YAG laser irradiation or bur drilling.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the use of Er:YAG laser ablation may become an alternative method for oral and periodontal osseous surgery.
Sasaki
Katia M
KM
Department of Hard Tissue Engineering, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan. sasaki.peri@tmd.ac.jp
Aoki
Akira
A
Ichinose
Shizuko
S
Yoshino
Toshiaki
T
Yamada
Sachiko
S
Ishikawa
Isao
I
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004871:Erbium; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004871:Erbium