title: Effects of Er:YAG laser on mineral content of sound dentin in primary teeth.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mineral content of sound dentin in primary teeth prepared using an Er:YAG laser at two different power settings. Thirty-six primary second molars were used in this study. Three dentin slabs were obtained from each tooth, and the slabs were randomly divided into three groups: Group A, control; Group B, Er:YAG laser at 3.5 W, 175 mJ, and 20 Hz, short pulse mode; and Group C, Er:YAG laser at 4 W, 200 mJ, and 20 Hz, medium-short pulse mode. One dentin slab per group was used to evaluate the dentinal morphology and surface roughness values using SEM and profilometer, respectively. Mineral content in the dentin slabs were calculated by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's HSD tests. No significant differences in Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P levels or Ca/P ratio were found among the groups (P > 0.05). SEM micrographs showed that surface irregularities increased with a higher power setting. The surface roughness after laser treatment in Group B and Group C was found to be similar, unlike Group A.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Ordu University, 52100 Ordu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cigdem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guler
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Inonu University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Meral Arslan
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Malkoc
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Inonu University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Veli Alper
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Gorgen
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sifa University, 35100 İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dilber
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskişehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bulbul
mesh_terms: D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013499:Surface Properties; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals