Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine whether it is an effective way to reduce damage for enamel surface, and to give patients a pain as light as possible while removing metal brackets with a CO2 laser.
The results were as follows;
1) The setting of the optimal laser irradiation to remove brackets effectively was an output of 2 watts laser, pulse time of 20 msec,20 pulse per second with normal pulse. This laser irradiation for 4 seconds could remove brackets effectively without damage to the enamel surface structure.
2) It was found by SEM observation that the bonding agent became softened with the heat of the laser irradiation. Changes were also not recognized on the enamel surface around the bracket base.
3) There were no recognized remarkable changes in the pulp of the tooth found during histological observation after the metal brackets were removed with the CO2 laser.
It is suggested that this is an effective way of removing brackets without enamel damage and harm to the patient. However, as the laser reflection on metal exists, the angle of laser irradiation is taken into consideration. As the state of the surrounding tissue is secured, removal of brackets must be conducted. Also, when the laser was not well irradiated at the bonding agent between the enamel surface and the bracket, it took quite a long time. These were, therefore, the items which we recognized as still requiring improvement.
