• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.597-605
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• 2006

It is introduced that pit and fissure sealant is the most universal and effective to prevent occlusal dental caries. In processing of being applied the pit and fissure sealant, the various kinds of methods are developed to remove organic matters, plaque, microflora and debris in the pit and fissure for increasing the rates of maintain the sealant. Recently, the Er:YAG laser has been used as a new enamel surface treatment method. The purpose of this thesis is compared whether that enamel surface treatment method is superior to other methods or not. 1. 100mJ 5Hz Er:YAG lased enamel surface was similar to acid-etched enamel in SEM evaluation. 2, Mechanical preparation showed decreased microleakage when compared with acid-etching only, but no significant differences in both method. 3. After laser and acid-etching method showed decreased microleakage when compared with acid-etching only.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.5-9
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• 2013

We report on high-power continuous-wave operations of an Er:YAG ceramic laser in-band pumped by a cladding-pumped Er,Yb fiber laser at 1532 nm. With an output coupler of 10% transmission, the ceramic laser yielded 16.7 W of continuous-wave output at 1645 nm for 28.8 W of incident pump power, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 61.0% with respect to the incident pump power. The lasing wavelength switched to 1617 nm when output couplers of > 20% transmission were used. Up to 16.2 W of 1617 nm output was generated for 33.0 W of incident pump power, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 51.8%. Graphene Q-switched operation of Er:YAG cermic laser at 1645 nm was also demonstrated with stable pulses of 30-74 kHz repetition rates and 1.5-6.4 ${\mu}s$ pulse widths.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.315-324
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• 2002

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the efficiency of Er:YAG laser on calculus removal and the morphologic changes and hardness of the irradiated surface at different power settings. This experiment used human teeth which were extracted due to periodontal disease and had a band of calculus. Forty root slabs ($5{\times}5mm$) were made and divided into control group and irradiated groups. Experimental groups were as follows; Control group (root planing), Group1 (irradiated with laser at 30mJ), Group2 (irradiated with laser at 60mJ), Group3 (irradiated with laser at 100mJ). Twelve root slab embedded in resin block were used in each group. Er:YAG laser was applied under water irrigation with the tip held perpendicular to the root surface in contact mode. The treatment time was measured until the calculus was removed completely under naked eyes. The efficiency of calculus removal was evaluated by the time for removal. Morphological changes of laser irradiated site were observed under SEM and the surface hardness was measured using a VH tester. The results were as follows; 1. The efficiency of laser scaling was increased with increasing the energy level of irradiation(p<0.05). 2. The morphological changes such as carbonization, crater and scale-like defects in the irradiated root surface were frequently observed with increasing the energy level. 3. The surface hardness tended to increase at 60mJ and 100mJ irradiated groups than that of control group. From the results evaluting on the efficiency, morphological change and surface hardness, lower energy level was suggested for the clinical application of the Er:YAG laser in scaling.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.234-241
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• 2011

Purpose: One of the most frequent complications related to dental implants is peri-implantitis, and the characteristics of implant surfaces are closely related to the progression and resolution of inflammation. Therefore, a technical modality that can effectively detoxify the implant surface without modification to the surface is needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of erbium-doped: yttrium, aluminium and garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation on the microstructural changes in double acid-etched implant surfaces according to the laser energy and the application duration. Methods: The implant surface was irradiated using an Er:YAG laser with different application energy levels (100 mJ/pulse, 140 mJ/pulse, and 180 mJ/pulse) and time periods (1 minute, 1.5 minutes, and 2 minutes). We then examined the change in surface roughness value and microstructure. Results: In a scanning electron microscopy evaluation, the double acid-etched implant surface was not altered by Er:YAG laser irradiation under the condition of 100 mJ/pulse at 10 Hz for any of the irradiation times. However, we investigated the reduced sharpness of the specific ridge microstructure that resulted under the 140 mJ/pulse and 180 mJ/pulse conditions. The reduction in sharpness became more severe as laser energy and application duration increased. In the roughness measurement, the double acid-etched implants showed a low roughness value on the valley area before the laser irradiation. Under all experimental conditions, Er:YAG laser irradiation led to a minor decrease in surface roughness, which was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The recommended application settings for Er:YAG laser irradiation on double acid-etched implant surface is less than a 100 mJ/pulse at 10 Hz, and for less than two minutes in order to detoxify the implant surface without causing surface modification.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage and penetration of fissure sealant in permanent molar teeth with fluorosis after pretreatment of the occlusal surface. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 third molars with mild dental fluorosis were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 20). The tooth surfaces were sealed with an unfilled resin fissure sealant (FS) material. The experimental groups included: 1) phosphoric acid etching (AE) + FS (control); 2) AE + One-Step Plus (OS, Bisco) + FS; 3) bur + AE + FS; 4) bur + AE + OS + FS; 5) Er:YAG laser + AE + FS; and 6) Er:YAG laser + AE + OS + FS. After thermocycling, the teeth were immersed in 0.5% fuchsin and sectioned. Proportions of mircoleakage (PM) and unfilled area (PUA) were measured by digital microscope. Results: Overall, there were significant differences among all groups in the PM (p = 0.00). Group 3 showed the greatest PM, and was significantly different from groups 2 to 6 (p < 0.05). Group 6 showed the lowest PM. Pretreatment with Er:YAG with or without adhesive led to less PM than bur pretreatment. There were no significant differences among groups in PUA. Conclusions: Conventional acid etching provided a similar degree of occlusal seal in teeth with fluorosis compared to those pretreated with a bur or Er:YAG laser. Pretreatment of pits and fissures with Er:YAG in teeth with fluorosis may be an alternative method before fissure sealant application.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.380-384
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• 1997

This study was performed to understand the exogenous-water-drop induced thermomechanical effect on the tooth in the free-running Er:YAG laser mode for the proper use of water as a laser energy absorber and coolant in dentistry. The ree-running Er:YAG laser was used in the dental hard tissue ablation study. A Microjet system was employed to dispense precise water drops. Ablation rate, recoil momentum, and temperature rise in the pulp cavity were measured with and without an exogenous water drop on the tooth surface. Exogenous water enhanced ablation rate in the thick tooth in which the ablation rate on the dry surface does not increase linearly but shows plateau. Optimal exogenous water volume was shifted from 2 nl to 4 nl as the laser energy was increased from 48 mJ to 145 mJ. The magnitude of the recoil momentum was increased as the volume of exogenous water increased. The results of this study suggest that we must pay attention to the recoil momentum or recoil pressure study or the optimal and safe usage of water in the dental treatment because these mechanical effects depend on the volume of exogenous water on the tooth surface.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.211-221
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• 2006

Purpose The aims of this study were to evaluate micro-tensile bond strength of composite resin bonded to dentin following high-speed rotary handpiece preparation or Er:YAG laser preparation with two different adhesive systems and to assess the influence of different Er:YAG laser energies on the micro-tensile bond strength. Materials and Methods In this study, 40 third morlars were used. Flat dentin specimans were obtained and randomly assigned to eight groups. Dentin surfaces were prepared with one of four cutting types: carbide bur, Er:YAG laser (2 W, 3 W and 4 W) and conditioned with two bonding systems, Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus (SM), Clearfil SE bond (SE) and composite resin-build ups were created. After storage for 24 hours, each specimen was serially sectioned perpendicular to the bonded surface to produce more than thirty slabs in each group. Micro-tensile bond strength test was performed at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. Micro-tensile bond strengths (${\mu}TBS$) were expressed as means$\pm$SD. Data were submitted to statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, Student-Newman-Keuls' multiple comparison test and t-test. Results and Conclusion 1. Regardless of bonding systems, the ${\mu}TBS$ according to cutting types were from highest to lowest : 3 W, 2 W, Bur, and 4 W. In addition, there was no significant difference between Bur and 4 W (p<0.001). 2. Regardless of cutting types, SM showed significantly higher ${\mu}TBS$ than SE (p<0.001). 3. Bonding to dentin conditioned with SM resulted in higher ${\mu}TBS$ for 3 W compared to Bur, 2 W, and 4 W. There was no significant difference between 2 W and Bur (p<0.001). 4. Bonding to dentin conditioned with SE resulted in higher ${\mu}TBS$ for 3 W compared to 2 W, 4 W, and Bur. Bur exhibited significant lower ${\mu}TBS$ than all other cutting types. There were no significant differences between 3 W, 2 W and between 4 W and Bur (p<0.001). 5. The ${\mu}TBS$ of laser cutting groups were shown in order from highest to lowest: 3 W, 2 W and 4 W in two bonding systems. There was no significant difference between 2 W and 3 W in SE (p<0.001). : The ${\mu}TBS$ of composite resin bonded dentin was significantly affected by interaction between the cutting type and bonding system. In the range of 2 W-3 W, cavity preparation of the Er:YAG laser seems to supply good adhesion of composite resin restoration no less than bur preparation. In particular, if you want to use the self-etching system, including Clearfil SE bond for the purpose of a simplification of the bonding procedures and prevention of adverse effects by excessive etching, an Er:YAG laser may offer better adhesion than a bur.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.374-382
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the surface morphology and measure shear bond strength of Er : YAG lased enamel. To determine the most effective energy density of laser for improving bonding strength of human enamel, 24 specimen were lased from 30mJ to 150mJ at 1Hz used focused, defocused beam. After irradiation, the lased specimen were observed scanning electron microscope. To determine the resin shear bond strength of Er : YAG lased enamel, the 90 specimen were divided into 3 groups. The Control group was etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 15seconds and rinsed. Group 1 was only laser irradiaton(60mJ, 10Hz), Group 2 was irradiated as Group 1 regimen, followed 37% phosphoric acid etching. The following results were obtained: 1. In both focused and defocused Er : YAG lased enamel surface are similar to acid-etched enamel more than 60mJ in SEM evaluation. 2. The more increased laser energy, the more observed fissuring surface. 3. The highest mean shear bond strength value was observed in control group with the statistical significance(p<0.05) between all the other groups and the shear bond strength in group 1 was the lowest with significant difference among the other groups.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.276-282
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• 2010

Purpose: The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of erbium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation on the change of hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated implant surface microstructure according to the laser energy and the application time. Methods: The implant surface was irradiated by Er:YAG laser under combination condition using the laser energy of 100 mJ/pulse, 140 mJ/pulse and 180 mJ/pulse and application time of 1 minute, 1.5 minutes and 2 minutes. The specimens were examined by surface roughness evaluation and scanning electron microscopic observation. Results: In scanning electron microscope, HA-coated implant surface was not altered by Er:YAG laser irradiation under experimental condition on 100 mJ/pulse, 1 minute. Local areas with surface melting and cracks were founded on 100 mJ/pulse, 1.5 minutes and 2 minutes. One hundred forty mJ/pulse and 180 mJ/pulse group had surface melting and peeling area of HA particles, which condition was more severe depending on the increase of application time. Under all experimental condition, the difference of surface roughness value on implant surface was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Er:YAG laser on HA-coated implant surface is recommended to be irradiated below 100 mJ/pulse, 1 minute for detoxification of implant surface without surface alteration.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.683-693
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Er:YAG laser on cutting efficacy and its histologic findings. Dentin specimens of human premolars and molars were used and irradiated by Er:YAG laser with noncontact handpiece type delivery system under different treatment condition of irradiation time. Cavity pattern and volume were evaluated to determine the cutting efficacy and following results were obtained. 1. Cutting volume of sound dentin was getting larger with time immersed in water increase 2. With the condition of irradiation (150mJ, 10Hz, 30sec), surface irregularity was more increased in sound dentin comparing to carious dentin. For the light microscopic examination, dentinal tubules were opened and ash flecks and cracks were noted with inconsistence of dentinal tubules. 3. In case of 30 sec. irradiation in carious dentin, dark zone was limited to small focus whereas 1 min. irradiation, more wider, and cracks were noted in the perpendicular to direction of dentinal tubules. For the 2 min. irradiation, cavity was the widest and more cracks were found.