Surface Snalysis of Erbium:YAG Laser Etching v/s Acid Etched Surface
Khatavkar R, Hegde VThe aim of the present study was to compare the effect of conventional acid etching with 37 % phosphoricacid and Er:YAG laser (non-contact mode) on surface changes in enamel.
Materials & methods
A total of 50 non-carious extracted human teeth were collected for the study. The teeth were divided into five groups; wherein one set of teeth was acid etched for 30 seconds with 37 % phosphoric acid and four groups were laser-ablated with an energy output of 50, 75, 100 and 150 mJ respectively using Er:YAG (2,940 nm wavelength) Laser in non-contact mode. Micromorphological effects were evaluated using an ESEM for change in the structure of enamel
Results
Following observations were made: Comparison between acid-etching & Laser treatment on the Effects on tooth surface and smear layer for each group.
ESEM evaluation showed that increasing the energy parameters showed difference in the surface morphology of enamel from roughening to a etching-like micro-roughened pattern. Certain laser treated teeth showed better micro-retentive features as compared to acid-etching.
Conclusion
Laser-treatment for providing a micro-retentive surface is a viable option that can be chosen. The Er:YAG Laser energy levels that provide a comparable effect to acid-etching were also noted.
