Drilling in human enamel and dentin with lasers: a comparative study

Emile Tasev; Guy P. Delacretaz; Ludger H. Woeste

doi:10.1117/12.17491

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1 June 1990 Drilling in human enamel and dentin with lasers: a comparative study

Emile Tasev, Guy P. Delacretaz, Ludger H. Woeste

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Proceedings Volume 1200, Laser Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems II; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.17491
Event: OE/LASE '90, 1990, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The application of lasers in dentistry and particularly for the removal of caries has been proposed for many years. In this paper, the application of lasers in dentistry for hard tissue only is discussed. As a first step, laser drilling of healthy enamel and dentin was performed with most of the potentially interesting lasers available for this application. Among the tested lasers, pulsed lasers with pulse duration in the microsecond range appeared to be the most appropriate (Nd-YAG and flashlamp pumped dye laser [FPDL]). On the contrary, cw-C02 lasers, even at low power, induce only thermal damage and no drilling is obtained. Preliminary results obtained with a long pulse XeCl excimer laser reveal low ablation rates.

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Emile Tasev, Guy P. Delacretaz, and Ludger H. Woeste "Drilling in human enamel and dentin with lasers: a comparative study", Proc. SPIE 1200, Laser Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems II, (1 June 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.17491

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