title: Er:YAG laser for brackets bonding: a SEM study after debonding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of Er:YAG laser in dentistry for ablation of hard tissues advocated an alternative method of enamel etching for orthodontics purpose.
  
  
  METHODS
  55 extracted human third molars were inserted in acrylic resin blocks and divided into five groups of 11 teeth. Group 1 was treated with 37% orthophosphoric acid for 30 seconds. Group 2 was treated with laser irradiation (Er:YAG Fidelius III, Fotona, Slovenia) at 80 mJ and 4 Hz. Group 3 underwent laser treatment (80 mJ, 4 Hz), followed by 37% orthophosphoric acid for 30 seconds. The teeth in Group 4 were treated with laser at 40 mJ and 10 Hz. The teeth in Group 5 were treated with laser (40 mJ, 10 Hz), followed by 37% orthophosphoric acid for 30 seconds. The adhesive remnant index was determined after debonding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Kruskas-Wallis test showed that location parameters (median and mean) are significantly different between Groups 2 and 4 when compared with control group; on the contrary no significant difference was detected between Groups 3 and 5 with the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of Er:YAG laser alone, as in Groups 2 and 4, showed no significant advantages over phosphoric acid in the bonding procedure for orthodontics brackets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ierardo
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Carlo
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petrillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Luzzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vozza
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Migliau
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kornblit
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Odontology, University Hospital "St. Roch", University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, 5 rue Pierre Dévoluy, 06006 Nice, France.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polimeni
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001840:Dental Bonding / Q000379:methods; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014081:Tooth Extraction
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; C030242:phosphoric acid