Study on selective removal of caries using laser absorption properties

• Published in: Journal of Osaka Dental University Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 159 - 165
• Main Authors: Kamono, Taro, Yoshikawa, Kazushi, Iwata, Naohiro, Awazu, Kunio, Yamamoto, Kazuyo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Osaka Odontological Society 2011
• Subjects: Caries dye solution; Laser; Selective caries removal
• ISSN: 0475-2058; 2189-6488
• DOI: 10.18905/jodu.45.2_159

In order to examine the color-related specificity of laser absorption at various wave-lengths, we irradiated, with a laser, specimens that had been stained with caries-detecting solution (CDS), measured the energy used, and calculated the rate of absorption. We used a P-LASER as a diode laser, an Erwin AdvErL as an Er: YAG laser and a PanalasC05 as a CO_2 laser. One drop of the CDS was placed on filter paper and artificial carious dentin, and the specimens were then dried. We then measured the energy penetrating the specimens using a laser power meter, and calculated the absorption rate of staining-related irradiation energy, regarding values obtained by laser irradiation without the specimens as controls. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way variance analysis and Scheffe's test. When the filter paper was tested, green showed the highest absorption rate for the diode laser. When the artificial caries dentin was tested, green again had the highest absorption rate for the diode laser. Green had a significantly different absorption rate when compared with red and when compared with purple. There were no significant color-related differences for absorption rates with the Er: YAG laser and CO_2 laser. These findings suggest that caries staining with green CDS facilitates selective caries removal for diode laser treatment.