Effect of Er:YAG laser energy densities on thermally affected dentin layer: Morphological study

Physical and chemical composition of dentin is subject to modification when irradiated with Er:YAG laser. Temperature rise causes water evaporation and micro-mechanical ablation of dentin. The misuse of laser parameters could affect negatively dentin collagen fibers leading to failure in bonded composite restorations. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of Er:YAG laser radiation at different levels of energy on the morphology of thermally affected dentin layer.

Forty-eight freshly extracted human third molars were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8). In all groups, except for the control groups, dentin was subject to irradiation with H02 handpiece Er:YAG laser in non-contact mode (SSP mode = 50 µs; 10 Hz; speed of 1 mm/second; air 6 mL/min; and water 4 mL/min) with the following levels of energy (40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 mJ) respectively. Teeth were sliced longitudinally. Photo-ablated cavities were observed. The cavity depth and dentin fiber collagen deterioration were measured.

Laser irradiation increased the depth of dentinal crater from 46.57 µm to 178.2 µm, when energy level increased from 40 mJ to 120 mJ. A superficial black layer, representing dentinal affected collagen fibers, was present in all groups except for control group. When comparing the thickness of the black layer, there was no significant difference between groups. It increased at 40 mJ to 28.17 µm then decreased to 15.19 µm at 60 mJ and then increased again for 80 mJ to 19.93 µm, 100 mJ to 22.87 µm and 120 mJ to 28.53 µm. Only one group (60 mJ) showed low values and significant difference as compared to the other irradiated groups, when multiple comparisons tests (ANOVA) were made using Newman-Keuls test.

Dentin organic matrix presented the minimum alteration when Er:YAG laser is used specifically at an appropriate level of energy (60 mJ).