Selective removal of dental composite with a diode-pumped Er:YAG laser

Selective removal of dental composite with high precision is best accomplished using lasers operating at high pulse repetition rates focused to a small spot size. Conventional flash-lamp pumped Er:YAG lasers are poorly suited for this purpose, but new diode-pumped Er:YAG lasers have become available operating at high pulse repetition rates. The purpose of this study was to compare the ablation rates and selectivity of enamel and composite for a 30 W diode-pumped Er:YAG laser operating with a pulse duration of 30-50-μs and evaluate it's suitability for the selective removal of composite from tooth surfaces. The depth of ablation and changes in surface morphology were assessed using digital microscopy. The fluence range of 30-50 J/cm² appeared optimal for the removal of composite, and damage to sound enamel was limited to less than 100-μm after the removal of composite as thick as 700-800-μm. Future studies will focus on the use of methods of feedback to further increase selectivity.