Dental enamel irradiated with infrared diode laser and photo-absorbing cream: part 2--EDX study.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of laser-induced compositional changes on the enamel were investigated by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (micro-EDX). After cariogenic challenge, we administered treatment of low-level infrared diode laser and a photo-absorbing cream (used to intensify the superficial light absorption).


BACKGROUND
Dental caries is considered the most prevalent oral disease. A simple and noninvasive caries preventive regimen is treating tooth enamel with a laser, either alone or in combination with fluoride, which reduces enamel solubility and dissolution rates. High power lasers are still not widely used in private practice. Low-power near-infrared lasers may be an alternative approach. Energy-dispersive micro-EDX is a versatile and nondestructive spectroscopic technique that allows for a qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis of inorganic enamel components, such as calcium and phosphorus.


METHODS
Twenty-four extracted or exfoliated caries-free deciduous molars were divided into six groups: 1) control group (CTR-no treatment); 2) infrared laser treatment (L) (lambda = 810 nm, 100 mW/cm(2), 90 sec, 4.47 J/cm(2), 9 J); 3) infrared laser irradiation and photo-absorbing agent (CL); 4) photo-absorbing agent alone (C); 5) infrared laser irradiation and fluoridated photo-absorbing agent (FCL); and 6) fluoridated photo-absorbing agent alone (FC). Samples were analyzed using micro-EDX after two sets of treatments and pH cycling cariogenic challenges.


RESULTS
The CL group showed statistically significant increases in calcium and phosphorus (wt%) compared with the CTR group. The Ca/P ratio was similar in the FCL and CTR groups. There was a significant laser-induced reduction compared with the CTR group, and there was a possible modification of the organic balance content in enamel treated with laser and cream.


CONCLUSIONS
micro-EDX may be able to detect compositional changes in mineral phases of lased enamel under cariogenic challenge. Our results suggest that with a combined laser and photo-absorbing agent (CL) treatment, there was a possible disorganization of organic content in the tooth enamel with hydroxyapatite crystal reordering and reorganization.
de Sant'Anna
Giselle Rodrigues
GR
Vale do Paraíba University, UNIVAP, Research and Development Institute, IP&D, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil. gisellesantanna@hotmail.com
dos Santos
Edson Aparecido Pereira
EA
Soares
Luís Eduardo Silva
LE
do Espírito Santo
Ana Maria
AM
Martin
Airton Abrahão
AA
Duarte
Danilo Antônio
DA
Pacheco-Soares
Cristina
C
Brugnera
Aldo
A
D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium