Femtosecond laser etching of dental enamel for bracket bonding

Ayse S. Kabas; Tansu Ersoy; Murat Gülsoy; Selcuk Akturk

doi:10.1117/1.JBO.18.9.098003

17 September 2013 Femtosecond laser etching of dental enamel for bracket bonding

Ayse S. Kabas, Tansu Ersoy, Murat Gülsoy, Selcuk Akturk

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Biomedical Optics, Vol. 18, Issue 9, 098003 (September 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.9.098003

Abstract

The aim is to investigate femtosecond laser ablation as an alternative method for enamel etching used before bonding orthodontic brackets. A focused laser beam is scanned over enamel within the area of bonding in a saw tooth pattern with a varying number of lines. After patterning, ceramic brackets are bonded and bonding quality of the proposed technique is measured by a universal testing machine. The results are compared to the conventional acid etching method. Results show that bonding strength is a function of laser average power and the density of the ablated lines. Intrapulpal temperature changes are also recorded and observed minimal effects are observed. Enamel surface of the samples is investigated microscopically and no signs of damage or cracking are observed. In conclusion, femtosecond laser exposure on enamel surface yields controllable patterns that provide efficient bonding strength with less removal of dental tissue than conventional acid-etching technique.

Citation Download Citation

Ayse S. Kabas, Tansu Ersoy, Murat Gülsoy, and Selcuk Akturk "Femtosecond laser etching of dental enamel for bracket bonding," Journal of Biomedical Optics 18(9), 098003 (17 September 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.9.098003

Published: 17 September 2013

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

JOURNAL ARTICLE
8 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY