Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of Er:YAG and diode laser treatments of the root surface on intrapulpal temperature after scaling and root planing with hand instruments.Methods: Fifteen extracted single‐rooted teeth were scaled and root planed with hand instruments. The teeth were divided into 3 groups of 5 each and irradiated on their buccal and lingual surfaces: group A: Er:YAG laser, 2.94 μm/100 mJ/10 Hz/ 30 seconds; group B: diode laser, 810 nm/1.0 W/0.05 ms/30 seconds; group C: diode laser, 810 nm/1.4 W/0.05 ms/30 seconds. The temperature was monitored by means of a type T thermocouple (copper‐constantan) positioned in the pulp chamber to assess pulpal temperature during and before irradiation. Afterwards, the specimens were longitudinally sectioned, and the buccal and lingual surfaces of each root were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.Results: In the Er:YAG laser group, the thermal analysis revealed an average temperature of −2.2 ± 1.5°C, while in the diode laser groups, temperatures were 1.6 ± 0.8°C at 1.0 W and 3.3 ± 1.0°C at 1.4 W. Electronic micrographs revealed that there were no significant morphological changes, such as charring, melting, or fusion, in any group, although the specimens were found to be more irregular in the Er:YAG laser group.Conclusions: The application of Er:YAG and diode lasers at the utilized parameters did not induce high pulpal temperatures. Root surface irregularities were more pronounced after irradiation with an Er:YAG laser than with a diode laser. J Periodontol 2003;74:838‐843.

Fluorescence of the skin, enamel, dentin, and bone are reviewed. Fluorescence spectroscopy is one of the noninvasive methods that can identify diseases and promote increasing the knowledge in medical diagnosis. The microstructure and composition of biological tissues are presented, followed by a description of chromophores, fluorophores as identified by use of applied fluorescence techniques.

The chemical components present in the hard tissue such as water, phosphate, carbonate and organic material strongly absorb infrared radiation. The research in dentistry area has a fundamental interest in identifying the chemical origin of all the bands present in the infrared region to study the chemical and thermal action on the hard dental tissues. To improve this technique it is important to identify chemical alterations in the tissues and characterize their properties in a more natural form. Transmission and reflection spectra in the infrared range from 2.5 µm to 25 µm of the enamel and dentin tissues from human and bovine teeth were acquired. Sliced samples were used for the transmission spectra, polished blocks and natural surfaces for the reflection spectra. Tissue spectra were registered between 4000 and 400 cm−1 in a FTIR Spectrometer. No differences were found between the mineral matrix of human and bovine tissues, only differences in intensity among bands were observed. Regarding the ...

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether laser irradiation is able to reduce caries incidence. For this purpose, the effects of laser on enamel and on fluoride uptake were discussed. Current...