Analysis of peripheral thermal damage during the rapid ablation of dentin and bone using a &#955;= 9.3-&#956;m TEA CO<sub>2</sub> laser

Paul W. Bell; Kenneth Fan; Robert S. Jones; Daniel Fried

doi:10.1117/12.661793

15 February 2006 Analysis of peripheral thermal damage during the rapid ablation of dentin and bone using a λ= 9.3-μm TEA CO₂ laser

Paul W. Bell, Kenneth Fan, Robert S. Jones, Daniel Fried

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6137, Lasers in Dentistry XII; 61370G (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.661793
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

TEA CO₂ lasers tuned to the strong mineral absorption of hydroxyapatite at λ =9-μm are ideally suited for the efficient ablation of dental hard tissues if the laser-pulse duration is stretched to greater than 10-μs to avoid plasma formation. CO₂ lasers are capable of operating at high repetition rates for the rapid removal of dentin and bone. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that stretched λ =9.3-μm TEA CO₂ laser pulses can produce lateral incisions in dentin and bone for dental restorations and implants at repetition rates as high as 400-Hz without peripheral thermal damage. A high repetition rate, 0-500-Hz, λ =9.3-μm TEA CO₂ laser with pulse durations of 10-20-μs was used to make incisions in human dentin and porcine alveolar bone with a computer controlled scanning stage and water spray at varying irradiation intensities. The single pulse ablation rates were determined for incident fluence ranging from 1-150-J/cm². Lateral incisions 2-3-mm in length were produced in the 2-mm thick sections. Following irradiation, transverse cross-sections were examined using polarized light microscopy (PLM) and Fourier transform infrared spectro-microscopy (SR-FTIR) at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The single-pulse ablation rates approached 40-μm per pulse for the stretched TEA laser pulses in dentin and bone. All incisions with and without water spray yielded thermal damage zones of less than 22-μm. Thermal damage zones with water spray were less than 14-μm, even at repetition rates of 400-Hz and SR-FTIR showed no spectral changes around the periphery of the incisions. CO₂ laser pulses at λ =9.3-μm of 10-20-μs duration are well suited for the precise removal of dentin and bone for dental restorations and implants at high repetition rates without peripheral thermal damage.

Citation Download Citation

Paul W. Bell, Kenneth Fan, Robert S. Jones, and Daniel Fried "Analysis of peripheral thermal damage during the rapid ablation of dentin and bone using a λ= 9.3-μm TEA CO₂ laser", Proc. SPIE 6137, Lasers in Dentistry XII, 61370G (15 February 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.661793

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available