[Enamel laser conditioning before sealant application]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the advantages offered by enamel laser conditioning before sealants application. 150 teeth of 50 patients were subdivided randomly into three groups. In each patient one tooth was etched with 37% orthophosphoric acid for 30 seconds, a second one with Er:YAG laser and orthophosphoric acid for 30 seconds and a third one exclusively with laser beam. Checks of the integrity of sealants applied were made at 3, 6, 12 months. The group treated with laser and orthophosphoric acid showed the best retention scores after 3, 6, 12 months. Enamel laser conditioning before sealants application reduced sealants fractures and loss during the observation time span.