Dental enamel irradiated with infrared diode laser and photoabsorbing cream: Part 1 -- FT-Raman Study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this FT-Raman study was to investigate laser-induced compositional changes in enamel after therapy with a low-level infrared diode laser and a photoabsorbing cream, in order to intensify the superficial light absorption before and after cariogenic challenge.


BACKGROUND
Dental caries remains the most prevalent disease during childhood and adolescence. Preventive modalities include the use of fluoride, reduction of dietary cariogenic refined carbohydrates, plaque removal and oral hygiene techniques, and antimicrobial prescriptions. A relatively simple and noninvasive caries preventive regimen is treating tooth enamel with laser irradiation, either alone or in combination with topical fluoride treatment, resulting in reduced enamel solubility and dissolution rates. Due to their high cost, high-powered lasers are still not widely employed in private practice in developing countries. Thus, low-power red and near-infrared lasers appear to be an appealing alternative.


METHODS
Twenty-four extracted or exfoliated caries-free deciduous molars were divided into six groups: control group (no treatment; n = 8); infrared laser treatment (L; n = 8) (810 nm at 100 mW/cm(2) for 90 sec); infrared diode laser irradiation (810 nm at 100 mW/cm(2) for 90 sec) and photoabsorbing cream (IVL; n = 8); photoabsorbing cream alone (IV; n = 8); infrared diode laser irradiation (810 nm at 100 mW/cm(2) for 90 sec) and fluorinated photoabsorbing agent (IVLF; n = 8); and fluorinated photoabsorbing agent alone (IVF; n = 8). Samples were analyzed using FT-Raman spectroscopy before and after pH cycling cariogenic challenge.


RESULTS
There was a significant laser-induced reduction and possible modification of the organic matrix content in enamel treated with the low-level diode laser (the L, IVL, and IVFL groups).


CONCLUSIONS
The FT-Raman technique may be suitable for detecting compositional and structural changes occurring in mineral phases and organic phases of lased enamel under cariogenic challenge.
Vale do Paraíba University, UNIVAP, Research and Development Institute, IP&D, Laboratory of Biomedical Vibrational Spectroscopy, LEVB and Dental Laser Center, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil. gisellesantanna@hotmail.com
Giselle Rodrigues
GR
de Sant'anna
Edson Aparecido Pereira
EA
dos Santos
Luís Eduardo Silva
LE
Soares
Ana Maria
AM
do Espírito Santo
Airton Abrahão
AA
Martin
Danilo Antônio
DA
Duarte
Cristina
C
Pacheco-Soares
Aldo
A
Brugnera
D000042:Absorption; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000494:pharmacology; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008963:Molar; D009824:Ointments; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D005782:Gels; D009824:Ointments; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D007208:Indocyanine Green