title: Safety parameters for pulp temperature during selective ablation of caries by KTP laser in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the optimal parameters of KTP laser irradiation during a selective caries removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve decayed human teeth, recently extracted were used. Their root canals were prepared for insertion of a thermocouple probe into the pulp chamber. The demineralized tissues were colored by Acid Red 52 before proceeding to different conditions of irradiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pulpal temperature increases (below 3 degrees C) were found under the following parameters with 15 sec of continuous lasing: 400 mWatts, 0.10-msec pulse width, PRR <50 Hz for efficient caries removal. A resting time average of 70 sec was necessary to allow pulp temperature to get back to its baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KTP laser can be used safely and without any pulp over-heating under certain irradiation conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, University Hospital Saint Pierre, Free University of Brussels, Belgium. nammourdent@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nammour
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kowalyk
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valici
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zeinoun
authors.forename: J-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Reck
mesh_terms: D001831:Body Temperature; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000601:surgery*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012449:Safety