Effect of Pulsed Low Energy Infrared Laser Irradiation on Artificial Caries-Like Lesion Formation

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Abstract
The mineral profiles of artificial caries-like lesions formed in intact human dental enamel and pretreated with pulsed, infrared laser radiation were determined using a longitudinal microhardness technique. Laser pretreatment with 100-200 ns pulses with 10-50 J.cntdot.cm-2 energy densities resulted in a peak power densities of 107-108 W .cntdot. cm-2 and caused significant inhibition of lesion formation with the greatest inhibition occurring at the highest pulse energies. In some cases, laser-treated enamel produced lesions that were 50% less demineralized than the controls. The inhibitory effect was also wavelength dependent with two of the four wavelengths chosen (9.32 and 10.59 .mu.m) being more active than the other two (9.57 and 10.27 .mu.m), although the 9.32 .mu.m wavelength was the more effective.