• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.231-236
• /
• 1999

Understanding the exgenous water induced thermomechanical effect on the dental hard tissue by the Q-switched Er:YAG laser (1-$mutextrm{s}$-long pulse width) has an important impact on the further understanding of the free-running Er:YAG laser (250-$mutextrm{s}$-long pulse width) ablation on the dental gard tissue because one macroscopic effect in the free-running laser is an accumulation of microscopic effects we investigated in this study. The Q-switched Er:YAG laser with exogenous water on the tooth enhanced ablation rate compared to the case of no water on the tooth. The frequency of exogenous-water jet on the tooth has affected the ablation rate in such a way that as we dispensed water drops less frequently we could get more enhanced ablation rate. The amplitude of the recoil pressure depends on the tooth surface conditions such that as surfaces wet, and as the volume of the exogenous water drop increased, the amplitude of the recoil pressure increased also. From this study we realized that the 1 $mutextrm{s}$ long pulsed induced thermomechanical effect provides us useful information for the understanding of the free-running Er:YAG laser induced ablation with exogenous water.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.728-734
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Er:YAG laser on cutting of efficacy of enamel and dentin in primary and permanent teeth. We used the enamel and dentin specimens of human teeth which contain the physiologic saline and maintain the pulpal pressure in dentinal tubules. Each specimen was exposed to Er:YAG laser with non-contact mode under different treatment condition of irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate. We investigated the cutting efficacy of Er:YAG laser by Scanning Intensity Microscopy, and obtained following results. 1. Cutting volume of enamel and dentin in primary and permanent teeth were increased by increasing the irradiation energy, pulse repetition rate. 2. Cutting volume of primary teeth was larger than that of permanent teeth. 3. Cutting volume of dentin was larger than that of enamel in primary and permanent teeth. From these results, Er:YAG laser would be more effective in cutting dentin than enamel, and in cutting primary teeth than permanent teeth for clinical application.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Laser treatment has become a popular method in implant dentistry, and lasers have been used for the decontamination of implant surfaces when treating peri-implantitis. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of an Erbium-doped:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Er:YAG) laser with different settings on machined (MA), sand-blasted and acid-etched (SA), and resorbable blast media (RBM) titanium surfaces using scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Materials and Methods: Four MA, four SA, and four RBM discs were either irradiated at 40 mJ/20 Hz, 90 mJ/20 Hz, or 40 mJ/25 Hz for 2 minutes. The specimens were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Result: The untreated MA surface demonstrated uniform roughness with circumferential machining marks, and depressions were observed after laser treatment. The untreated SA surface demonstrated a rough surface with sharp spikes and deep pits, and the laser produced noticeable changes on the SA titanium surfaces with melting and fusion. The untreated RBM surface demonstrated a rough surface with irregular indentation, and treatment with the laser produced changes on the RBM titanium surfaces. The Er:YAG laser produced significant changes on the roughness parameters, including arithmetic mean height of the surface (Sa) and maximum height of the surface (Sz), of the MA and SA surfaces. However, the Er:YAG laser did not produce notable changes on the roughness parameters, such as Sa and Sz, of the RBM surfaces. Conclusion: This study evaluated the effects of an Er:YAG laser on MA, SA, and RBM titanium discs using confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Treatment with the laser produced significant changes in the roughness of MA and SA surfaces, but the roughness parameters of the RBM discs were not significantly changed. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficiency of the Er:YAG laser in removing the contaminants, adhering bacteria, and the effects of treatment on cellular attachment, proliferation, and differentiation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Er:YAG laser on microstructure and roughness of $TiO_2$ blasting implant surface. Materials and Methods: Ten $TiO_2$ blasting implant were used in this experiment. One implant was control group, and nine $TiO_2$ blasting implant surfaces were irradiated with Er:YAG laser under 100 mJ/pulse, 140 mJ/pulse, and 180 mJ/pulse condition for 1 min, 1.5 min, and 2 min respectively. Optical interferometer and scanning electron microscopy was utilized to measure roughness and microstructure of specimens. Results: The surface roughness was decreased after Er:YAG laser irradiation in all groups, but there was no significant difference. 100 mJ/pulse and 140 mJ/pulse group did not alter the $TiO_2$ blasting implant surface in SEM study while 180 mJ/pulse group altered the $TiO_2$ blasting implant surface. Implant surfaces showed melting, microfracture and smooth surface in 180 mJ/pulse group. Conclusion: Detoxification of implant surface using Er:YAG laser must be irradiated with proper energy output and irradiation time to prevent implant surface alteration.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.41 no.7
• /
• pp.463-468
• /
• 2017

For transdermal drug delivery, needless injection system is composed of laser and microjet injector. Main mechanism of microjet injector is the laser-induced bubble. Nd:YAG and Er:YAG laser are used as a power source. Laser parameters such as pulse duration and wavelength are considered, which are core parameters to control the bubble motion. The Nd:YAG laser, pulse duration is short than bubble life time making cavitation like bubble while in Er:YAG laser, long pulse duration and high absorption in water drive bubble as a boiling bubble. Detailed motion of bubble and microjet is captured by the high speed camera. So it is observed that microjet characteristics are determined by the bubble behavior. The performance of drug delivery system is evaluated by fluorescent staining of guinea pig skin.

• Proceedings of the Korea Association of Crystal Growth Conference
• /
• 1998.06a
• /
• pp.161-164
• /
• 1998

Erbium doped garnet crystals were grown by Czochralski method. Relationshipes between crystal quality and crystal growth factors such as pulling rate, rotation rate and concentration of active ions and sensitizers were investigated. Optimum pulling and rotation rate for high quality Er:YAG crystal were 1 mm/hr and 20 rpm and for Er,Cr:YSGG crystal 2-4 mm/hr and 10 rpm respectively. The size of the crystals grown was up to 20-30 mm in diameters and 95-135 mm in length. Er:YAG crystal grown under the nitrogen atmosphere was pink and transparent and Er,Cr:YSGG under the 98% {{{{ { N}_{ 2} }}}} and 2% {{{{ { O}_{2 } }}}} was dark green and transparent. Under the polarizing microscopic observations with crossed polar, striations and {211} core facets were detected. Spectroscopic properties for Er,Cr:YSGG laser rods with <111> axis, 80 mm in length and 6.3 mm in diameter for medical laser applications of 2.79 ${\mu}$m wavelength were manufactured and then laser oscillation was achieved.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.374-382
• /
• 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 the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.660-666
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Er:YAG laser against the intraoral acid producing bacterium of S. mutans. Bacterial pellet containing S. mutans KCTC 3065 was irradiated by Er:YAG laser having a $650\;{\mu}m$ diameter beam by non-contact mode. Irradiated parameters were 50mJ, 10Hz and exposure time were 1s, 3s, 5s, 7s, 9s respectively. We obtained the following results of relative growth rate and acid-producing ability of S. mutans by culturing for 48hrs. 1. The growth rate of S. mutans was decreased in the group of laser irradiation compared to the control group(P<0.01). 2. The growth rate at laser irradiation group of 7s, 9s irradiation time was decreased significantly compared to the laser irradiation group of 1s, 3s, 5s irradiation time, until 12 hours(P<0.05). After 24 hours, all groups of laser irradiation were not found to be statistically different in each other. 3. The acid-producing ability of S. mutans was inhibited for a certain duration by irradiation of laser. In summary, the growth rate and acid producing ability of S. mutans decreased according to laser irradiation. This effect was directly related to the amount of irradiation time. These results suggested that Er:YAG laser had an growth inhibition effect on S. mutans.

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

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.201-207
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare two different gingival depigmentation techniques using an erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser and rotary instruments. Methods: Two patients with melanin pigmentation of gingiva were treated with different gingival depigmentation techniques. Ablation of the gingiva by Er:YAG laser was performed on the right side, and abrasion with a rotary round bur on the opposite side. Results: The patients were satisfied with the esthetically significant improvement with each method. However, some pigment still remained on the marginal gingival and papilla. The visual analog scale did not yield much difference between the two methods, with slightly more pain on the Er:YAG laser treated site. Conclusions: The results of these cases suggest that ablation of the gingiva by an Er:YAG laser and abrasion with a rotary round bur is good enough to achieve esthetic satisfaction and fair wound healing without infection or severe pain. Prudent care about the gingival condition, such as the gingival thickness and degree of pigmentation along with appropriate assessment is needed in ablation by the Er:YAG laser procedure.