IADR Abstract Archives
Initiated Tips in Diode Lasers: Thermal Effects in Soft Tissues
Objectives: Diode lasers are often used in dentistry to perform soft tissue incisions and excisions. These lasers are highly absorbed by tissue chromophores. They are “hot tips” due to the laser energy becoming concentrated at the fiber tip resulting in a deep penetration depth. Different types of initiators can be used to initiate the fiber of a diode laser, thus increasing the efficiency of the incisions produced by the laser. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various initiators on the thermal changes that occur during incisions performed in soft tissues.
Methods: Standardized incisions were made in chicken breast using a 975nm-diode laser (Alta, Dental Photonics). The laser fiber had a 320-micron diameter. Incisions (five in each group) were performed with and without an initiator (control group). Cork, Surestep® and red/blue articulating paper were used in this study to initiate the glass fiber tip. The tissue was irradiated in a continuous wave mode at 3W and 6W. Thermal changes that occurred were recorded via thermo-elements, which were placed 2 mm away from each incision site.
Results: At a power of 3 and 6W without any initiator, the thermal increase was the greatest, reaching a mean temperature of 27.5 vs. 29.8oC, respectively. Cork initiator at 3 and 6W resulted in temperature increase, reaching a mean temperature rise of 26.6 vs. 27.3oC, respectively. Incisions made using Surestep® resulted in mean temperatures of 24.2oC with both power setting. The blue/red articulating paper initiated tips reached mean temperatures, such as 23.1/24.8 vs. 27.2/29.2 at 3 and 6W power settings, respectively.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, all of the initiators are safe to use. The power settings of the diode laser and type of initiator used both effect the degree to which the temperature of the soft tissue increases during incisions.
Methods: Standardized incisions were made in chicken breast using a 975nm-diode laser (Alta, Dental Photonics). The laser fiber had a 320-micron diameter. Incisions (five in each group) were performed with and without an initiator (control group). Cork, Surestep® and red/blue articulating paper were used in this study to initiate the glass fiber tip. The tissue was irradiated in a continuous wave mode at 3W and 6W. Thermal changes that occurred were recorded via thermo-elements, which were placed 2 mm away from each incision site.
Results: At a power of 3 and 6W without any initiator, the thermal increase was the greatest, reaching a mean temperature of 27.5 vs. 29.8oC, respectively. Cork initiator at 3 and 6W resulted in temperature increase, reaching a mean temperature rise of 26.6 vs. 27.3oC, respectively. Incisions made using Surestep® resulted in mean temperatures of 24.2oC with both power setting. The blue/red articulating paper initiated tips reached mean temperatures, such as 23.1/24.8 vs. 27.2/29.2 at 3 and 6W power settings, respectively.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, all of the initiators are safe to use. The power settings of the diode laser and type of initiator used both effect the degree to which the temperature of the soft tissue increases during incisions.