Laser‐activated fluoride treatment of enamel against an artificial caries challenge: comparison of five wavelengths

Abstract

Background: Laser-activated fluoride (LAF) therapy with 488nm laser energy has been shown previously to increase the resistance of human enamel and dentine to acid dissolution in laboratory models of dental caries. The aims of this study were to examine whether LAF therapy, conducted using a range of wavelengths in the visible and near infrared regions, can protect human dental enamel from an artificial cariogenic challenge. Materials and methods: Buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted sound, molar and premolar teeth were used to prepare matched pairs of enamel slabs (N=10 per group). After application of neutral sodium fluoride gel (12300ppm F ion), slab surfaces were lased (energy density 15 J/cm 2 ; spot size 5mm, wavelength 532, 633, 670, 830 or 1064nm), then exposed to an artificial cariogenic challenge for a period of seven days. The Vicker's hardness number (VHN) was recorded before and after laser treatment and again following the cariogenic challenge. Negative controls did not receive laser exposure. Results: All wavelengths of laser light examined provided an effective LAF effect, compared with the unlased negative control surfaces. Conclusion: Using this in vitro model, we conclude that the action spectrum of the LAF effect extends across the visible and near-infrared regions of the spectrum.

Dental Enamel Irradiated with Infrared Diode Laser and Photo-Absorbing Cream: Part 2—EDX Study

“…This option did not show satisfactory results, possibly because the interaction between light and fluoridated cream may have prevented the benefits of both fluoride and laser. However, Vlacic et al 62 demonstrated statistically significant changes in the enamel surface hardness after lasing with fluoride at the 830 nm wavelength, but the changes were not significant after a demineralizing challenge.…”

“…Our choice was the concurrent use of the fluoride-cream and laser, as a laser-activated fluoride treatment was also used in a microhardness 62 and SEM 23 study. This option did not show satisfactory results, possibly because the interaction between light and fluoridated cream may have prevented the benefits of both fluoride and laser.…”

Caries inhibition in vital teeth using 9.6-μm CO2-laser irradiation

“…Besides CO 2 -lasers, which had originally been used for this purpose [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] to reduce the acid dissolution of enamel, other lasers have been investigated in laboratory studies including Nd:YAG, [11][12][13][14] Er:YAG-, [15][16][17][18] and Er,Cr:YSGG-, [19][20][21] as well as argon ion lasers [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] with and without additional topical fluoride application. There are also reports from small scale in vivo studies using an argon laser around orthodontic brackets 29 or Nd:YAG-laser treatment coupled with initiation dye and acidulated fluoride application in children with the effects assessed by following the development of white spot lesions or fissure caries.…”

The Effects of Remineralization via Fluoride Versus Low-Level Laser IR810 and Fluoride Agents on the Mineralization and Microhardness of Bovine Dental Enamel

“…Moreover, the effects are higher when fluoride-or calcium-based compounds are irradiated concurrently [11][12][13][14]17]. Nevertheless, the data show that the mineral content of the laser group was similar to the control.…”

“…These lasers absorb water from the hydroxyapatite of tooth tissues and can modify the crystalline structure, acid solubility, and permeability of the tooth surface to increase resistance against demineralization. However, high-power lasers are costly and not readily available in every practice [11][12][13][14].…”