Effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on human dental enamel

The crystallographic alterations of the hydroxyapatite under the laser irradiation were evaluated by the x-ray diffraction pattern analysis and scanning electron microscopic observation. Recrystallization may occur in fused and resolidified dental enamel by the pulsed Nd: YAG laser irradiation. Two different grades of energy densities such as 400 pulses and 800 pulses were given to the powdered enamel. The irradiation was performed at a peak power of 500W with a pulse width of 10 msec.; the average output of 10W, spot size of 3mm and two pulses were given in every second. After the 800 pulses of Nd:YAG laser irradiation to the human dental enamel the x-ray diffraction pattern demonstrated both alpha-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite peaks. With the lower level of energy at 400 pulses, no significant differences were seen in the diffraction patterns between lased and unlased enamel. In scanning electron microscopic findings, there were no significant changes between lased and unlased enamel. When the unlased and lased enamel were exposed to acid solution, unlased enamel showed a honeycomb pattern, while the lased enamel showed preferentially removed prism core material.