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Evaluation of micromorphological changes in tooth enamel after mechanical and ultrafast laser preparation of surface cavities

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Abstract

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the morphological changes that occur in tooth enamel after mechanical instrumentation and after femtosecond laser irradiation with different parameters via light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Twelve totally impacted third molars were collected and sectioned to provide several cut surfaces. These surfaces were exposed to infrared (λ = 795 nm, 120 fs, 1-kHz repetition rate, maximum mean power 1 W) laser pulses and machined by means of a conventional mechanical technique. Two very different geometrical patterns were performed with femtosecond laser pulses: shallow rectangular cavities and deep cylindrical ones. The results of both machining procedures were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The SEM images show the femtosecond laser ability to produce high-precision cavities in tooth enamel. No signs of collateral damage, burning, melting, or cracks were observed despite the far different laser pulse energies used (ranging from 7 to 400 μJ), unlike what is seen with conventional mechanical techniques. The femtosecond laser has the potential to become an optimal tool for the treatment of dental decay and as an alternative to the conventional drill to reduce mechanical damage during removal of the hard dental tissue.

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Acknowledgments

A.G. and P.M. acknowledge the support of Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación through the Consolider Program SAUUL (CSD2007-00013) and research project FIS2009-09522, from Junta de Castilla y León through the Program for Groups of Excellence (GR27) and of the EC Seventh Framework Programme (LASERLAB-EUROPE, grant agreement no. 228334).We also acknowledge the support of the Centro de Laseres Pulsados, CLPU, Salamanca, Spain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Dental Clinic, University of Salamanca, Prolongación del Paseo de la Universidad de Coimbra S/N, 37007, Salamanca, Spain

    Mª Cruz Lorenzo Luengo, M. Portillo, M. Peix, J. Montero & A. Albaladejo

  2. Laser Microprocessing Research Group, University of Salamanca, Plaza de la Merced S/N, 37008, Salamanca, Spain

    P. Moreno & A. García

  3. Department of General and Atmospheric Physics, Sciences Faculty, Building Trilingual, University of Salamanca, Plaza de la Merced S/N, 37008, Salamanca, Spain

    J. M. Sánchez

Authors
  1. Mª Cruz Lorenzo Luengo
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  2. M. Portillo
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  3. J. M. Sánchez
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  4. M. Peix
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  5. P. Moreno
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  6. A. García
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  7. J. Montero
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  8. A. Albaladejo
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Correspondence to Mª Cruz Lorenzo Luengo.

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Luengo, M.C.L., Portillo, M., Sánchez, J.M. et al. Evaluation of micromorphological changes in tooth enamel after mechanical and ultrafast laser preparation of surface cavities. Lasers Med Sci 28, 267–273 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-012-1144-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-012-1144-x

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