Effect of Laser Irradiation and Fluoride on Acid Softened Enamel

Objectives: Objective: Many foods and drinks which are part of the modern diet-including soft drinks, fruit juices, fruit teas, certain fruits, vegetables, and balsamic vinegar-contain acids that can soften tooth enamel with a resultant tooth erosion. High-concentrated fluoride applications, as oral rinses, gels, varnishes, and more recently Erbium lasers available in different wave lengths, emission, modes, and delivery systems, have been considered effective in reducing the development of this phenomenon. The objective of the present study was to, compare the effect of laser irradiation(Er,Cr:YSGG) and fluoride treatment on softened enamel exposed to phosphoric acid of coca cola , and to citric acid
Methods: . Methods: Forty eight collected sound premolars divided into group I (control), Group (II) softened by coca-cola receiving Er,Cr:YSGG irradiation, groupIII softened by citric acid treated by fluoride varnish application .All specimen were subjected to enamel microhardeness measurements and scanning electron microscopy examinations.
Results: Results: Significant decrease in mean micro-hardness was noted after softening in coca cola or citric acid (subgroup A of both group II & III respectively). However, after laser treatment; both acid groups (subgroup B of group II & III respectively); showed a significant decrease in mean micro-hardness after softening followed by significant increase in mean micro-hardness after treatment. Though no significant difference between micro-hardness before and after treatment (subgroup B of both group II & III respectively). The results of the present study showed that, treatment with Er,Cr:YSGG laser was able to cause a significant increase to enamel hardness, after one single application. While topical application of fluoride varnish was only able to cause a slight amount of re-hardness to the softened enamel after one single application
Conclusions: Conclusion: Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment outrages the Fluoride varnish application.