Effect of Nd:YAG laser combined with fluoride on the prevention of primary tooth enamel demineralization.
Most studies dealing with the caries preventive action of Nd:YAG laser have been done in permanent teeth and studies on primary teeth are still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of Nd:YAG laser combined or not with fluoride sources on the acid resistance of primary tooth enamel after artificial caries induction by assessing longitudinal microhardness and demineralization depth. Sixty enamel blocks obtained from the buccal/lingual surface of exfoliated human primary molars were coated with nail polish/wax, leaving only a 9 mm² area exposed on the outer enamel surface, and randomly assigned to 6 groups (n=10) according to the type of treatment: C-control (no treatment); APF: 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel; FV: 5% fluoride varnish; L: Nd:YAG laser 0.5 W/10 Hz in contact mode; APFL: fluoride gel + laser; FVL: fluoride varnish + laser. After treatment, the specimens were subjected to a des-remineralization cycle for induction of artificial caries lesions. Longitudinal microhardness data (%LMC) were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and demineralization depth data were analyzed by oneway ANOVA and Fisher's LSD test (á=0.05). APFL and APF groups presented the lowest percentage of microhardness change (p<0.05). Demineralization depth was smaller in all treated groups compared with the untreated control. In conclusion, Nd:YAG laser combined or not with fluoride gel/varnish was not more effective than fluoride alone to prevent enamel demineralization within the experimental period.
Department of Pediatric Clinic, Preventive and Community Dentistry, Dental School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Danielle Torres
DT
Azevedo
Juliana Jendiroba
JJ
Faraoni-Romano
Juliana Dos Reis
Jdos R
Derceli
Regina Guenka
RG
Palma-Dibb
D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006245:Hardness Tests; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000517:prevention & control; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*
D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride