title: Nd:YAG laser ablation and acid resistance of enamel.
abstract: The acid resistance of Nd:YAG laser-ablated enamel surfaces was studied by evaluating crystal structure, mineral distribution, and fluorescence radiance and image in the present study. For comparison, 37% phosphoric acid etching was performed. The formation of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) was confirmed in the laser-ablated surface. The Ca/P ratio increased after ablation due to mineral re-distribution. In contrast, the Ca/P ratio decreased after acid etching due to mineral loss. The laser-ablated enamels showed a smaller increase of fluorescence radiances and less clear laser confocal scanning microscope images than those observed in the acid-etched enamels. The former suggests a minimized mineral loss. The Nd:YAG laser irradiation will enhance the acid resistance and retard the carious progression in enamel.
authors: Department of Dental Biomaterials, College of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, 2-188-1 Samduk-dong Jung-gu, Daegu 700-422, Korea.
authors: Yong Hoon
authors: YH
authors: Kwon
authors: Oh-Won
authors: OW
authors: Kwon
authors: Hyung-Il
authors: HI
authors: Kim
authors: Kyo-Han
authors: KH
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000528:radiation effects; D003461:Crystallography; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003747:Dental Enamel Solubility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D009354:Neodymium; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000378:metabolism; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015019:Yttrium
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D008903:Minerals; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate; D010758:Phosphorus; D009354:Neodymium; D015019:Yttrium; C018392:tricalcium phosphate; D002118:Calcium