Dentistry

Abstract

Impact of welding the dental enamel walls of the fissure system using semiconductor laser: In-Vitro study

Nermin MY, Ali MS and Samah SM

Background: Dental caries is as yet considered the commonest disease of childhood and adolescence with high incidence in some individuals. A basic and noninvasive caries preventive regimen as treating tooth enamel with a laser, either alone or in combination have been proved its effectiveness to reduce enamel solubility and caries incidence rates.

Methods: Forty specimens were divided into 4 groups, each group contained 10 teeth; group1 (control group) normal enamel; group 2: immersed in artificial caries media; group 3: subjected to diode laser irradiation; group 4: subjected to diode laser irradiation and artificial caries media. Specimens were examined with environmental scanning electron microscope and microhardness measurement.

Results: The environmental scanning electron microscope examination of group 3 revealed partial closure of the occlusal depressions (pits and fissures), and furthermore great resistance to caries occurrence was accomplished in group 4. A high significant difference was recognized in group 3 while group 4 showed non-significant reduction in its hardness.