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Effect of diode laser and fluoride varnish on initial surface demineralization of primary dentition enamel: an in
M R L A Santaella1, A Braun, E Matson
1Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Introduction:
Previous investigations have demonstrated improved enamel caries resistance after laser irradiation. The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the caries-preventive potential of 809 nm diode laser treatment of the enamel of primary teeth compared to topical fluoride application.
Methods:
Eighty samples of sound primary teeth were embedded in plastic and stored in saline solution. The enamel surface of 80 samples was polished in an area of 2 x 2 mm. These tooth specimens were randomly assigned to one control and three test groups: (1) no treatment/control; (2) application of 0.1 mg of fluoride varnish (Duraphat) for 6 h; (3) diode laser application (809 nm, 140 mJ, 50 Hz, Ø 600 micro m fibre, contact mode, absorber, 1 min; ORA-LASER01 I.S.T.); and (4) combined application - laser/fluoride varnish. Caries-like lesions were created by pH-cycling. After lesion formation, longitudinal sections were taken and examined by polarized light microscopy.
Results:
In the control group, all samples showed lesions up to 30 micro m in depth. After laser application, lesions could be identified in 15 out of 20 samples. Topical fluoride treatment in groups 2 (varnish) and 4 (laser/varnish) completely inhibited the development of caries-like lesions in all samples.
Conclusion:
In this in vitro investigation, topical fluoride treatment enhances the resistance of sound enamel of primary teeth more effectively than diode laser application.
