抄録
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.
