title: Subablative Er:YAG laser effect on enamel demineralization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the cariostatic potential of a low-energy Er:YAG laser treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve sound premolars were selected. Two 2 × 1 mm windows were created on each tooth and randomly assigned to L(1) and L(2) groups. Three sites in each window were chosen with the middle site as the control and the left and right ones receiving Er:YAG laser treatment of 5.1 J/cm(2) (L(1)) or 2.0 J/cm(2) (L(2)), respectively. The teeth were further subjected to 4-day pH cycling to create caries-like lesions. After mineral quantification using a micro-computed tomography scanner, the preventive effects (ΔML = mineral loss of the control area minus that of the lased area) of L(1) and L(2) treatments were calculated based on the difference in the gray value of the control and lased sites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant inhibitory effects of L(1) and L(2) on enamel demineralization were demonstrated (both p ≤ 0.001), with the L(1) treatment having a greater effect (45.2%) than the L(2) treatment (25.2%, p = 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subablative low-energy Er:YAG laser irradiation can significantly prevent enamel demineralization potentially through the retardation of enamel diffusion. This study confirmed that high-energy laser treatment, which may damage the peripheral and underlying tissues, may not be needed for caries prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: C-Y S
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: C M J
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Teoh
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000528:radiation effects; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004058:Diffusion; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013696:Temperature; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014089:Tooth Remineralization; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D019342:Acetic Acid