[Laser-induced photoacoustic effects in the dentin]

To study photoacoustic effects in dentin caused by UV-laser ablation, laser-induced shockwaves were measured using piezoelectric PVDF films. Above the tissue-specific energy threshold for photoablation the amplitude of the acoustic shock waves is proportional to the applied laser energy density. Laser energy densities of 2 J/cm2 cause pressure amplitudes of 50 bar, densities of 20 J/cm2 cause pressure amplitudes of 1000 bar. To avoid microcracks in dentine the maximum laser energy density to prepare dentin should be limited to approximately 20 J/cm2.