Enamel and dentine of deciduous teeth Er:YAG laser prepared. A SEM study.

AIM The aim of this study was to observe dentine and enamel surfaces of deciduous teeth under SEM after cavity preparation with Er:YAG laser using different fluences. The results showed that when using Er:YAG laser for cavity preparation in deciduous teeth, no carbonisation or cracks were observed on the enamel and dentine surfaces using energy output between 150-250 Mj, and frequency 15 Hz. The SEM images of the dentine and enamel surfaces were similar to previous studies on permanent teeth: enamel with a typical "lava flow" appearance as a result of an open core of the prism that has lost its typical hexagonal aspect and the dentine with opened tubules plus a difference in the mineral thickness between peritubular and intertubular. CONCLUSION The difference between the SEM images of deciduous enamel and dentine when using three different energies (150-200-250 mJ) is not significant in order to recommend the use of one type of output energy. In addition, the SEM images are similar TO those of permanent teeth.