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Cavity preparation by Er-YAG laser on pulpal temperature rise
Dan Oelgiesser1, Jaron Blasbalg, Ariel Ben-Amar
1Laser Clinic, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger, School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Ranoe@netvision.net
Purpose:
To measure the intrapulpal temperature changes in vitro, during cavity preparation and caries removal, using the Opus 20 Er-YAG laser plotted as a function of the laser energy and pulse rate.
Materials And Methods:
Class I and V cavity preparations were made in 175 fresh extracted caries-free human teeth and caries removal was carried out in 42 carious extracted teeth by the Opus 20 Er-YAG laser. K-type thermocouples were inserted into the pulp chambers filled with heat conducting paste. Lasing was carried out at different irradiation energies and pulse frequencies, using air-water spray. Temperature changes in the pulp chamber were measured during lasing.
Results:
In all groups tested, the maximum temperature rise was lower than 5.5 degrees C, which is considered as critical value for pulp vitality. The highest temperature values were measured during Cl I preparations (3.13 degrees C +/- 1.54 - 4.11 degrees C +/- 1.29), medium values were in Cl V in enamel (2.38 degrees C +/- 1.37 - 4 degrees C +/- 1.07) and the lowest were in cementum (2.10 degrees C +/- 0.61 - 3.61 degrees C +/- 1.15) and during caries removal (1.21 degrees C +/- 0.46 - 3.51 degrees C +/- 0.68).