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. 2013 Apr;4(2):170-5.
doi: 10.4103/0976-237X.114864.

Acquired acid resistance of human enamel treated with laser (Er:YAG laser and Co2 laser) and acidulated phosphate fluoride treatment: An in vitro atomic emission spectrometry analysis

Anju Mathew  1 , N Venugopal Reddy, D K Sugumaran, Joby Peter, M Shameer, Liju Marcely Dauravu
Affiliations

Acquired acid resistance of human enamel treated with laser (Er:YAG laser and Co2 laser) and acidulated phosphate fluoride treatment: An in vitro atomic emission spectrometry analysis

Anju Mathew et al. Contemp Clin Dent. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is essentially a process of diffusion and dissolution. If the aspect of dissolution can be curtailed some degree of prevention can be achieved.

Aims: The present study was carried out to evaluate and compare the effect of Er:YAG laser and Co2 laser irradiation combined with acidulated phosphate fluoride treatment on in vitro acid resistance of human enamel.

Design: An in vitro study was carried out on 30 human premolars to evaluate the enamel's acid resistance using an atomic emission spectrometry analysis.

Materials and methods: A total of 60 enamel specimens were prepared from 30 human premolars and were randomly assigned to 6 groups: (1) Untreated (control); (2) 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel application alone for 4 min; (3) Er:YAG laser treatment alone; (4) Co2 laser treatment alone; (5) Er:YAG laser + APF gel application; (6) Co2 laser + APF gel application. The specimens were then individually immersed in 5 ml of acetate buffer solution (0.1 mol/L, pH 4.5) and incubated at 37°C for 24 h, and the acid resistance was evaluated by determining the calcium ion concentration using the atomic emission spectrometry.

Statistical analysis: An ANOVA model was constructed (P value of 0.05), followed by Tukey's test for multiple pair wise comparisons of mean values.

Results: Significant differences were found between the control group and the test groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Combining acidulated phosphate fluoride with either Er:YAG or Co2 laser had a synergistic effect in decreasing the enamel demineralization more than either fluoride treatment or laser treatment alone.

Keywords: Acidulated phosphate fluoride; Co2 laser; Er:YAG laser; acid resistance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prepared enamel specimens
Figure 2
Figure 2
Er:YAG laser irradiation of the specimens
Figure 3
Figure 3
Co2 laser irradiation of specimens
Figure 4
Figure 4
Percentage reduction in calcium dissolution compared to control
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean scores of calcium in parts per million
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