2 Dental hard tissue ablation using the Er: YAG laser with a new test tip

Abstract

We evalvated the ablation efficiency of the Er: YAG laser using a new test tip that sprays the irrigation fluid as a mist. The tip was prepared by modifying the conventional irrigation mechanism with the cooperation of the J. Morita Corp. The ablated cross-sectional area was significantly greater in the mist spray group than in the controls at an irradiation distance of 0.5 mm in enamel and at 0.5 and 1.0 mm in dentin. Spraying the irrigation fluid as a mist during laser ablation of dental hard tissue improved the ablation efficiency.