title: The effect of CO2 and Nd:YAP lasers on CAD/CAM Ceramics: SEM, EDS and thermal studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction of infrared laser light on Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) ceramic surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty CAD/CAM ceramic discs were prepared and divided into two different groups: lithiumdisilicate ceramic (IPSe.maxCADs) and Zirconia ceramic (IPSe.maxZirCADs). The laser irradiation was performed on graphite and non-graphite surfaces with a Carbon Dioxide laser at 5W and 10W power in continuous mode (CW mode) and with Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Perovskite (Nd:YAP) laser at 10W. Surface textures and compositions were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Thermal elevation was measured by thermocouple during laser irradiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SEM observation showed a rough surface plus cracks and fissures on CO2 10W samples and melting areas in Nd:YAP samples; moreover, with CO2 5W smooth and shallow surfaces were observed. EDS analysis revealed that laser irradiation does not result in modifications of the chemical composition even if minor changes in the atomic mass percentage of the components were registered. Thermocouple showed several thermal changes during laser irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CO2 and Nd:YAP lasers modify CAD/CAM ceramic surface without chemical composition modifications.
authors.affiliation: Micoralis laboratoy EA 7354, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Gamal
authors.affiliation: Micoralis laboratoy EA 7354, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France; Group of Applied ElectroMagnetics, Information Engineering Department, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fornaini
authors.affiliation: Micoralis laboratoy EA 7354, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France; Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France; Pôle Odontologie, CHU Nice Saint Roch, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Jean Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.affiliation: Micoralis laboratoy EA 7354, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Omid H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Muhammad
authors.affiliation: Micoralis laboratoy EA 7354, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France; Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France; Pôle Odontologie, CHU Nice Saint Roch, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Medioni
authors.affiliation: Group of Applied ElectroMagnetics, Information Engineering Department, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cucinotta
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France; Pôle Odontologie, CHU Nice Saint Roch, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brulat-Bouchard
keywords: CAD/CAM Ceramics; EDS; Laser; SEM; Thermocouple