Selective Removal of Demineralized Dentin by Nanosecond-Pulsed Laser at Wavelength of 2.94 μm

Abstract

Less-invasive methods are required for caries treatment. Our previous study achieved the selective removal of demineralized dentin by the irradiation of a nanosecond-pulsed laser at wavelengths of around 6 μm, which are the absorption wavelengths of organic materials, without water spray. Absorption bands also originated from the organic materials at around 3 μm. This study investigated the ablation property by a nanosecond-pulsed laser at a wavelength of 2.94 μm without water spray. We also compared our new laser method with a conventional Er:YAG laser. As a result, the selective removal of demineralized dentin was observed by both lasers, and the thermal effect by nanosecond-pulsed-laser irradiation was less than that of the Er:YAG laser. We believe that a nanosecond-pulsed laser at a wavelength of 2.94 μm is effective for the selective removal of carious dentin.