The scientific investigation of fundamental problems plays a decisive role in understanding the mode of action and the consequences of the use of lasers on biological material. One of these fundamental aspects is the investigation of the ablation threshold of various laser wavelengths in dental enamel. Knowledge of the relationships and influencing factors in the laser ablation of hard tooth tissue constitutes the basis for use in patients and the introduction of new indications. The present paper examines the ablation threshold of an Er:YAG laser (lambda=2.94 micro m) and an Er:YSGG laser (lambda=2.79 micro m) in human dental enamel. To this end, 130 enamel samples were taken from wisdom teeth and treated with increasing energy densities of 2-40 J/cm(2). The sample material was mounted and irradiated on an automated linear micropositioner. Treatment was performed with a pulse duration of tau(P(FWHM)) approximately 150 micro s and a pulse repetition rate of 5 Hz for both wavelengths. The repetition rate of the laser and the feed rate of the micropositioner resulted in overlapping of the single pulses. The surface changes were assessed by means of reflected light and scanning electron microscopy. On the basis of the results, it was possible to identify an energy density range as the ablation threshold for both the Er:YAG and the Er:YSGG laser. With the Er:YAG laser, the transition was found in an energy density range of 9-11 J/cm(2). The range for the Er:YSGG laser was slightly higher at 10-14 J/cm(2).