• Proceedings of the Optical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.02a
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• pp.193-194
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• 2006

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

RE : YAG ($RE=Nd^{3+}$, $Er^{3+}$) single crystals are laser diodes and generally grown by Czochralski method with controlling the various growth parameter. Since the defects occurred by temperature gradient or the rotation speed of solid-liquid growth interface act as the decline of crystal optical property during the growth procedure, crystalline quality improvement via defects analysis is necessary. The etch pit density (EPD) analysis was used to confirm the surface defect of grown RE : YAG single crystal and to select the area of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Defects in the specimen produced by tripod polishing method such as buckling, rod shaped, bend contours by internal stress, segregation and others were observed by using 200 kV TEM and 300 kV FE-TEM.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.660-669
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• 2011

Er: YAG laser irradiation utilizing the newly developed RCLase side-firing spiral tip was used for the cleansing of root canals following their bio-mechanical preparation with ProTaper Ni-Ti files. The distal and palatal roots of 20 freshly extracted molar teeth were instrumented to size F3 with ProTaper files. In the experimental group (10 teeth) the pulp chamber and the root canals were filled with EDTA 17% and the root canals were lased for 30 s using the Er: YAG laser irradiation at 600 mJ per pulse and a frequency of 12 Hz. In the control group (10 teeth) the root canals were not lased. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed clean wall surfaces of the lased root canals with open dentinal tubules, free of smear layer and debris. In the scanning electron microscope photographs of the walls of the non-lased root canals a considerable amount of debris could be detected. It appears that an efficient cleansing of the root canal system can be achieved by using the Er: YAG laser irradiation with the RCLase Side-firing Spiral Tip following bio-mechanical preparation of the root canal with Ni-Ti Taper files.

• 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.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2023

In this paper, we demonstrated a high-energy (285 mJ) mid-infrared flashlamp-pumped electro-optically 𝚀-switched Er:YAG master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system and comprehensively investigated its temporal, spectral, and spatial characteristics. To increase the output energy, we optimized the delay between the timings at which the flashlamps of the master oscillator and power amplifier were triggered. In addition, the output energy was improved while minimizing thermal effects by cooling the MOPA system to a temperature slightly above the dew point. Consequently, the MOPA structure boosted the output energy without damaging the lithium niobate Pockels cell, which is a crucial element in 𝚀-switching. This design realized pulses with energies up to 0.285 J and pulse durations of approximately 140 ns at a wavelength of 2,936.7 nm. This high-energy mid-IR Er:YAG MOPA system can be used for various scientific, engineering, and military underwater applications.

• 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.

• 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.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.192-196
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• 2012

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of provisional cement removal by different dentin cleaning protocols (dental explorer, pumice, cleaning bur, Er:YAG laser) on the shear bond strength between ceramic and dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In total, 36 caries-free unrestored human third molars were selected as tooth specimens. Provisional restorations were fabricated and cemented with eugenol-free provisional cement. Then, disc-shaped ceramic specimens were fabricated and randomly assigned to four groups of dentin cleaning protocols (n = 9). Group 1 (control): Provisional cements were mechanically removed with a dental explorer. Group 2: The dentin surfaces were treated with a cleaning brush with pumice Group 3: The dentin surfaces were treated with a cleaning bur. Group 4: The provisional cements were removed by an Er:YAG laser. Self-adhesive luting cement was used to bond ceramic discs to dentin surfaces. Shear bond strength (SBS) was measured using a universal testing machine at a 0.05 mm/min crosshead speed. The data were analyzed using a Kolmogorov Smirnov, One-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests to perform multiple comparisons (${\alpha}$=0.05). RESULTS. The dentin cleaning methods did not significantly affect the SBS of ceramic discs to dentin as follows: dental explorer, pumice, cleaning bur, and Er:YAG laser. CONCLUSION. The use of different cleaning protocols did not affect the SBS between dentin and ceramic surfaces.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 2005

The purpose of our study was to investigate whether the intrapulpal temperature during cavity preparation of enamel or dentin with Er:YAG laser still remained in range of safety for dental pulp protection when combined with appropriate water flow rate. The effect of different pulse repetition rates at the same pulse energy during ablation was evaluated as well. Caries-free, restoration-free extracted human molar teeth were prepared for the specimen and divided two experimental groups of enamel and dentin. Each group comprised 5 specimens and each of tooth specimens were embedded into a resin block each and measuring probe was placed on the irradiated pulpal walls. For experiments of dentin ablation, enamel layers were prepared to produce dentin specimen with a same dentin thickness of 2 mm. A pulse energy of Er:YAG laser was set to 300 mJ and three different pulse repetition rates of 20 Hz, 15 Hz and 10 Hz were employed. Laser beam was delivered with 3 seconds and less per application over enamel and dentin surfaces constant sized by $3\;mm{\times}2\;mm$ and water spray added during irradiation was a rate of 1.6 ml/min. Temperature change induced by Er:YAG laser irradiation was monitored and recorded While enamel was ablated, there was no significant difference of temperature related to pulse repetition rates(p=0.358) and temperature change at any pulse repetition rate was negligible. Significant statistical difference in temperature changes during cavity preparation in dentin existed among three different pulse groups(p=0.001). While temperature rise was noticeable when the dentinal wall was perforated, actual change of temperature due to Er:YAG laser irradiation was not enough to compromise safety of dental pulp when irradiation was conjugated with appropriate water spray. Conclusively, it can be said that cavity preparation on enamel or dentin with an Er:YAG laser is performed safely without pulp damage if appropriate volume of water is sprayed properly over the irradiated site.