title: Application of DIAGNOdent as a guide for removing carious dentin with Er:YAG laser.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the DIAGNOdent values applicable as a guide for removal of outer layer of carious dentin with Er:YAG laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  Carious dentin of human extracted molars was removed by bur with Caries Detector (Group 1: red stained dentin was left, Group 2: light pink stained dentin was left) and by Er:YAG laser with DIAGNOdent value as a guide (30>Group 3>21, 20>Group 4>11, 10>Group 5). The cavity floor dentin after removing carious dentin was examined using microradiograms, EPMA and SEM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cavity floor dentin of group 1,3 showed the decreases in the degree of X-ray absorption. In group 2,4 and 5, decrease of Ca, P were not observed. The decrease of Mg was observed on the more superficial part of the cavity floor for group 3 than for group 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When carious dentin was removed using Er:YAG laser, the carious dentin outer layer was ideally removed with DIAGNOdent values: 11-20. DIAGNOdent values: 11-20, could indicate the completion of outer layer removal of carious dentin with Er:YAG laser, but there are some problems that must be addressed before the clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics and Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry at Tokyo, Nippon Dental University, and Division of General Dentistry, Nippon Dental University Dental Hospital, Tokyo, 102-8159 Japan. ndu2100008@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yonemoto
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eguro
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Hisayoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003804:Dentin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004871:Erbium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D011859:Radiography; D015019:Yttrium / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: C503779:yttrium-aluminum-garnet; D015019:Yttrium; D004871:Erbium; D000535:Aluminum