• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.32-44
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Er : YAG laser on cutting efficacy and temperature changes of dentin. We used the dentin specimens of human premolars and molars which contain the physiologic saline and maintain the pulpal pressure in dentinal tubules. Each specimen was exposed to Er : YAG laser with non-contact handpiece type delivery system under different treatment condition of irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate, and exposure time. Two procedures were conducted by the presence of water flow during lasing. The specimens were grouped by thickness of dentin. We investigated the cavity pattern, volume, and temperature change of dentin specimen to determine the cutting efficacy and temperature rise of Er : YAG laser, and obtained following results. 1. Cutting volume of dentin was increased by increasing the irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate, and exposure time(P<0.05). 2. Margins of abulated cavities were sharp and clean and floors of cavities were conical in shape and showing smooth surfaces. Upper diameter of abulated cavities were increasing as laser parameter of irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate, and exposure time were increased. A few cracks were observed on abulated surfaces under treatment condition of laser parameter with 150mJ, 5Hz, and 5sec. 3. Temperature was increased as laser parameter of irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate, and exposure time were increased, and temperature rise was decreased as dentin thickness was increased(P<0.05). 4. Temperature rise was decreased under water flow compared with no water flow during laser exposure(P<0.05). From these results, we think that the method of using a Er:YAG laser would be effective and safe in cutting dentin for clinical application.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.232-237
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• 2012

Background : Skin injuries, such as lacerations due to trauma, are relatively common, and patients are very concerned about the resulting scars. Recently, the use of ablative and non-ablative lasers based on the fractional approach has been used to treat scars. In this study, the authors demonstrated the efficacy and safety of ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) for traumatic scars using a 2,940-nm erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser for traumatic scars after primary repair during the early posttraumatic period. Methods : Twelve patients with fifteen scars were enrolled. All had a history of facial laceration and primary repair by suturing on the day of trauma. Laser therapy was initiated at least 4 weeks after the primary repair. Each patient was treated four times at 1-month intervals with a fractional ablative 2,940-nm Er:YAG laser using the same parameters. Posttreatment evaluations were performed 1 month after the fourth treatment session. Results : All 12 patients completed the study. After ablative fractional laser treatment, all treated portions of the scars showed improvements, as demonstrated by the Vancouver Scar Scale and the overall cosmetic scale as evaluated by 10 independent physicians, 10 independent non-physicians, and the patients themselves. Conclusions : This study shows that ablative fractional Er:YAG laser treatment of scars reduces scars fairly according to both objective results and patient satisfaction rates. The authors suggest that early scar treatment using AFR can be one adjuvant scar management method for improving the quality of life of patients with traumatic scars.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to investigate the sterilization effect of Er:YAG laser against the intraoral acid producing bacterium, S. mutans, by irradiating the culture solution containing S. mutans KCTC 3065 with Er:YAG laser having a $650{\mu}m$ diameter beam through the non-contact method. We obtained the following results after examining the temperature changes of the culture solution, numbers of bacterial colonies, and acid-producing ability and attaching ability on teeth by measuring the amount of extracellular polysaccharide produced by S. mutans. The number of bacterial colony was decreased in $10{\mu}l$ culture solution irradiated with laser in overall compared to the control solution. The number decreased as the irradiation intensity and pulse repetition rate were larger and as the exposure time was increased. However, it did not change significantly in $100{\mu}l$ culture solution compared to the control solution. Although the acid-producing ability of S. mutans was inhibited for a certain duration after laser irradiation in 10r1 bacterial culture solution, it did not change in $100{\mu}m$ solution compared with the control solution. The amount of extracellular polysaccharide synthesized by S. mutans was partially decreased through laser irradiation in $10{\mu}m$ culture solution but did not change in $100{\mu}m$ culture solution. Based on these findings, we concluded that Er:YAG laser has an sterilization effect on S. mutans in which we presume that the mechanism is through the heat effect rather than the mechanical effect from development of ultrasound.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.411-420
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• 1999

과거 수십년간 여러 가지 다른 레이저를 이용한 치아경조직에 대한 몇 가지의 생체외적 실험이 이루어졌다. 그러나 그 결과는 좋지 못하였다. 그러한 주 문제는 열작용이었다. 미국 식품의약국(FDA)에서 사용하도록 허가된 Er:YAG 레이저는 인간의 생체 치아를 삭제할 수 있는 최초의 레이저이다. 치아 삭제가 열작용의 원리에 의해 이루어지기는 하지만, 경조직의 미세폭발에 의하기 때문에 주변의 경조직과 연조직에 미치는 열작용은 거의 없다. 본 연구에서는 최근 국내에서 최초로 개발된 Er:YAG 레이저를 사용하여, 상아질과 법랑질에 일회 조사시 다양한 에너지 수준에 따른 삭제율을 연구하였다. 건조된 10개의 치아가 선택되었으며, 각각은 에폭시 레진에 포매되어 경화되었다. 그 후 다섯 개의 치아는 저속회전 다이아몬드 휠로써 교합면 삭제를 통해 상아질이 노출되었으며, 나머지 다섯 개의 치아는 협측 혹은 설측을 삭제하여 평평한 표면의 법랑질을 만들도록 하였다. 준비된 상아질과 법랑질 치아의 표면은 각각의 에너지 수준의 레이저를 조사할 6개의 구획으로 나누어 표본으로 삼았다. 상아질과 법랑질 표본은 에너지 수준에 따른 5개의 실험군(40 mJ, 80 mJ, 120 mJ, 160 mJ, 200 mJ)으로 나누어 그 삭제율을 분석하였다. 삭제된 부피는 삼차원 영상 표면분석기로 측정하였으며, 통계적으로 분석하였으며, 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 상아질과 법랑질간의 삭제율의 차이는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었다(p<0.0001). 2. 에너지 수준에 따른 삭제율의 차이는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었다(p<0.0001). 3. 각각의 에너지 수준에서 상아질과 법랑질간의 삭제율의 차이는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었으나(p<0.05), 40 mJ과 80 mJ에서는 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 4. 상아질에서 각각의 에너지 수준 간의 삭제율이 유의한 차이를 보였으나(p<0.01), 160 mJ과 200 mJ간에는 삭제율의 유의한 차이가 없었으며, 법랑질에서도 각각의 에너지 수준 간의 삭제율이 유의한 차이를 보였으나(p<0.01), 120 mJ, 160 mJ, 200 mJ 간에 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 건조된 치아에 다양한 에너지 수준의 Er:YAG 레이저를 적용했을 경우 상아질과 법랑질의 삭제 부피를 연구하여 정량화 및 통계적 분석을 하였다. 그 결과, Er:YAG 레이저는 치아경조직의 삭제에 매우 유용하였으며, 앞으로도 이를 임상적으로 널리 이용하기까지 좀더 다양하고 심화된 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.111-115
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• 2015

$Er^{3+}$ doped $Y_3Al_5O_{12}$ (Er:YAG) single crystals, in which the concentrations of $Er^{3+}$ ion were 5, 7.3, 8, and 10 at.%, were grown by the Czochralski method under nitrogen atmosphere. The <111> oriented Er:YAG single crystals with diameters of up to 50 mm were grown at a pulling rate of 1.0 mm/h and rotation rate of 10 rpm. The thick part of the core region was generated mainly when there was a diameter change during the crystal growth. The concentrations of $Er^{3+}$ ion in the crystals were the same as it was in the melt. $Er^{3+}$ concentration of core region was slightly higher than the other regions in the compositional analysis. The fluorescence lifetime was saturated according to the increase of $Er^{3+}$ doping concentrations.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.135-142
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• 2011

Purpose: The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of erbium-doped: yttrium, aluminium and garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation on sand-blasted, large grit, acid-etched (SLA) implant surface microstructure according to varying energy levels and application times of the laser. Methods: The implant surface was irradiated by the Er:YAG laser under combined conditions of 100, 140, or 180 mJ/pulse and an application time of 1 minute, 1.5 minutes, or 2 minutes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the surface roughness of the specimens. Results: All experimental conditions of Er:YAG laser irradiation, except the power setting of 100 mJ/pulse for 1 minute and 1.5 minutes, led to an alteration in the implant surface. SEM evaluation showed a decrease in the surface roughness of the implants. However, the difference was not statistically Significant. Alterations of implant surfaces included meltdown and flattening. More extensive alterations were present with increasing laser energy and application time. Conclusions: To ensure no damage to their surfaces, it is recommended that SLA implants be irradiated with an Er:YAG laser below 100 mJ/pulse and 1.5 minutes for detoxifying the implant surfaces.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2013

Purpose: The present study aimed to measure root surface roughness in teeth with periodontitis by a profilometer following root planning with ultrasonic and hand instruments with and without erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation. Methods: Sixty single-rooted maxillary and mandibular teeth, extracted because of periodontal disease, were collected. The crowns and apices of the roots were cut off using a diamond bur and water coolant. The specimens were mounted in an acrylic resin block such that a plain root surface was accessible. After primary evaluation and setting a baseline, the samples were divided into 4 groups. In group 1, the samples were root planned using a manual curette. The group 2 samples were prepared with an ultrasonic scaler. In group 3, after scaling with hand instrumentation, the roots were treated with a Smart 1240D plus Er:YAG laser and in group 4, the roots were prepared with ultrasonic scaler and subsequently treated with an Er:YAG laser. Root surface roughness was then measured by a profilometer (MahrSurf M300+RD18C system) under controlled laboratory conditions at a temperature of $25^{\circ}C$ and 41% humidity. The data were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance and a t-test (P<0.05). Results: Significant differences were detected in terms of surface roughness and surface distortion before and after treatment. The average reduction of the surface roughness after treatment in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 1.89, 1.88, 1.40, and 1.52, respectively. These findings revealed no significant differences among the four groups. Conclusions: An Er:YAG laser as an adjunct to traditional scaling and root planning reduces root surface roughness. However, the surface ultrastructure is more irregular than when using conventional methods.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.396-405
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was performed to find out the effects of the Er:YAG laser (Key Laser) & Er,Cr:YSGG laser (Water Laser) on inflammatory tissues. Materials and Methods: It was performed on about 20 g, 6 weeks male ICR mouses. They were grouped into the control (negative), the inflammation induced 'control'(positive), Er,Cr:YSGG laser exposured group after inducing inflammation, Er:YAG lasere exposured group after inducing inflammation each 15 mouses. The mouses were applicated 0.5% DNFB 1 cc on ear skin twice a day for 4 days until symptom expression. After laser exposure, ear tissues were extracted and defined gene expression by RT-PCR. Then, tissue staining, lymphocytes observation, electromicroscophic laboratory were carried out. Results: Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ was expressed much less in the A-laser exposed group. Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ & Tumor Necrosis Factor-${\alpha}$ were expressed 7 times lesser in the A-laser exposed group. The number of Lymphocytes related to inflammation was decreased rapidly in the A-laser exposed group in vivo. he number of cavity recovered normal was a little bigger in the A-laser exposed group after 5 days Conclusion: The expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ & TNF-${\alpha}$, hitologic change, observation with electron microscope shows that Erbium laser exposure causes lesser inflammation with A-laser rather than B-laser.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.375-381
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• 2005

Er:YAG laser has been considered a promising alternative to dental drill and many researches indicate that adjustment to variable parameters, including water flow rate, pulse energy and pulse repetition rate, can be made to improve ablation ability and efficiency of the laser. Of these parameters, addition of water spray during irradiation has been thought to ablate dental hard tissue more rapidly and safely. The purpose of this study was to investigate tooth ablation amount by Er:YAG laser irradiation as related to varied water flow rates added and, ultimately to find the most effective water flow rate for ablation. In addition, the temperature change of pulp chamber during irradiation was also monitored on the irradiated and opposite pulpal walls, respectively. An Er:YAG laser with contact mode was employed. Extracted human molars were split into two pieces for ablation experiment. Pulse energies of 200 and 300 mJ with a pulse repetition rate of 20 Hz and 5 water flow rates (1.6, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, and 10.0 ml/min) were applied. Each irradiation was performed for 3 seconds. According to these parameters, experimental groups were divided into 10 subgroups which consisted of 5 specimens. For temperature experiment, another 5 tooth-specimens were prepared in the manner that pulp chamber was open through access cavity preparation and two temperature-measuring probes were placed respectively on the irradiated and the opposite walls of pulp chamber. From the experiment on ablation amount related to different water flow rates, it was shown that the least water flow rate of 1.6 ml/min ablated more than any other water flow rates (p<0.000). When the irradiation for 3 seconds, combined with the pulse repetition time of 20Hz and the water flow rate of 1.6 ml/min was done to tooth specimen, the temperature rise was not noticeable both on the irradiated and the opposite pulpal walls (less than 3$^{\circ}C$) and there was no significant difference in temperature rise between the two pulse energies, 200 and 300 mJ. From the results of this study, it is suggested that tooth ablation with Er:YAG laser can be done effectively and safely at a energy between 200 and 300 mJ/pulse and a pulse repetition rate of 20 Hz when the lasing is conjugated with the water flow rate of 1.6ml/min.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.569-578
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• 2007

This study was performed to compare the shear bond strength of self etching system and two bottle bonding system with or without laser preparation. Group I was prepared with high speed rotary instrument and $Prompt^{TM}$ L-$Pop^{TM}$, group II with Er:YAG laser and $Prompt^{TM}$ L-$Pop^{TM}$, group III with Er:YAG laser, 37% phosphoric acid and Single bond, group IV with Er:YAG laser and Single bond and group V with high speed, etching and Single bond. And also observation of the prepared and etched dentin surface were performed under scanning electro-microscope. The possibility of clinical application of laser preparation which might have an advantage to reduce pain for children with less unfavorable noise were evaluated. The results obtained are as follows; 1. Group V showed significantly higher bond strength than other groups. And group IV showed significantly lower bond strength than other groups. 2. There was no significant difference between group I and group III. 3. Group II showed significantly lower bond strength than group I, III, V, but showed significantly higher bond strength than group IV. 4. Under scanning electro-microscope, laser-preparated dentin surface showed high irregularity and no smear layer. The surface showed less irregularities and more exposed dentinal tubules with etching. Laser preparation has many advantages over conventional tooth preparation. But this method showed lower resin bonding strength. Laser preparated tooth surface differed from the conventionally preparated tooth surface. More researches are needed on suitable methods for laser preparated dentin surface.