Ultrastructural changes of enamel and dentin following Er:YAG laser radiation on teeth

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Abstract
Polarisation microscopic and SEM investigations of the ejected material following Er:YAG laser radiation on teeth were performed. Depending on the radiant energy different textural structures of material are found. At radiant energies exceeding 50 mJ a melt with crystalline microparticles on the surface can be seen. Supporting our previous hypothesis of the ablation process, now it can be stated, that first the evaporation process will start and with a little time delay some microexplosions with ejecting crystalline material will take place. This is in conformity with X-ray diffractometric investigations. For CO2 laser ablation only a melting deposit was found.