MORPHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ARF EXCIMER-LASER IRRADIATION ON ENAMEL AND DENTIN

Background and Objective: The aim of this investigation to determine t he range of morphological and ablative effects that can be achieved on dental enamel and dentin using ArF excimer laser irradiation at a wav elength of 193nm. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Caries-free coro nal enamel and dentin surfaces of 20 extracted human teeth were subjec ted to irradiation at 193nm using a Lamda-Physik model EMC; 103 MSC an d ArF fill. Morphology of cavity floors and walls were assessed by lig ht microscopy and SEM. Results: Morphological surface effects and abla tion could be controlled effectively and reliably by choice of paramet er combination, allowing the operator to achieve either a smooth, flat , or increasingly rough surface with differing degrees of selective ab lation. No signs of thermal damage were apparent. Conclusion: Excimer laser irradiation at 193nm provided clinically useful cavity preparati ons and surface morphological effects. (C) 1997 Wiley Liss, Inc.