Journal of Dentistry
Volume 35, Issue 10 , Pages 787-793, October 2007

Enamel diffusion modulated by Er:YAG laser:

(Part 1)—FRAP

  • N.L. Maung

      Affiliations

    • Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore
    • ,
  • T. Wohland

      Affiliations

    • Department of Chemistry, 3 Science Drive 3, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
    • ,
  • C.-Y.S. Hsu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +65 6779 5555x1658; fax: +65 6773 2602.

Received 29 March 2007; received in revised form 8 July 2007; accepted 16 July 2007.

Abstract 

Several studies have demonstrated the caries protective effect of lasers by strengthening enamel crystalline structure. However, the effect of laser on enamel diffusion (ED) remains unclear.

Objectives

This study aimed to quantify the laser-induced alteration of diffusion coefficients (DC) in enamel using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP).

Methods

Eleven caries-free enamel sections were characterized morphologically using stereomicroscopy, polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, before and after laser treatment with Er:YAG laser 50mJ×5s×5Hz. With 20μM fluorescein, DCs were measured (n=11) by FRAP coupled with confocal microscopy.

Results

The DCs measured were 2.89±0.61×10−7cm2/s and 4.076±0.73×10−7cm2/s, at the lased and unlased areas, respectively (p=0.001).

Conclusions

This study has confirmed the reduction of ED as a potential mechanism involved in laser-induced caries prevention. FRAP was demonstrated to be a promising technique for evaluating diffusion-related phenomenon in enamel.

Keywords: Enamel, Diffusion, FRAP, Er:YAG laser

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PII: S0300-5712(07)00137-6

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2007.07.011

Journal of Dentistry
Volume 35, Issue 10 , Pages 787-793, October 2007

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