IADR Abstract Archives
Synergistic Potential of LRAP and Er:YAG Laser for Dental Remineralization
Objectives: Recent studies have explored the use of amelogenin-assisted dental remineralization, but the combined effect of leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) and Er: YAG laser treatment remains relatively unexplored. This study aims to investigate the synergistic effect of LRAP and Er: YAG laser irradiation on dental remineralization.
Methods: Artificial lesions were chemically induced in dentin and enamel, followed by LRAP remineralization and laser treatment (absent in control groups), and subsequent demineralization. Surface texture, cracks, and mineral deposits were examined using stereomicroscopy. The remineralization effect was studied using polarized light microscopy (PLM) coupled with phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy.
Results: In dentin, the presence of white depositions on tooth surfaces following LRAP remineralization treatment suggested the effectiveness of the remineralization processes. Low-energy laser irradiation did not induce noticeable changes, indicating its safety and lack of adverse effects on teeth. Stereomicroscopy identified cracks or defects before but more after demineralization. Mean lesion depth increments were 40.5 ± 4.0 µm for LRAP and 34.5 ± 5.0 µm for LRAP followed by laser treatments. In enamel, time-dependent PLM images of LRAP remineralization showed preferential remineralization of enamel diazone compared to the parazone. LRAP remineralization followed by laser treatment resulted in reduced enamel porosity after laser treatment. These results suggest that Er: YAG laser irradiation after LRAP remineralization may convert calcium apatite into hydroxyapatites, reducing dental solubility and preventing demineralization cascades.
Conclusions: Ongoing investigations are being conducted to validate these effects, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and evaluate the clinical translatability of combining LRAP with Er: YAG laser treatment for enhancing dental remineralization and preventing the progression of enamel/root caries.
Methods: Artificial lesions were chemically induced in dentin and enamel, followed by LRAP remineralization and laser treatment (absent in control groups), and subsequent demineralization. Surface texture, cracks, and mineral deposits were examined using stereomicroscopy. The remineralization effect was studied using polarized light microscopy (PLM) coupled with phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy.
Results: In dentin, the presence of white depositions on tooth surfaces following LRAP remineralization treatment suggested the effectiveness of the remineralization processes. Low-energy laser irradiation did not induce noticeable changes, indicating its safety and lack of adverse effects on teeth. Stereomicroscopy identified cracks or defects before but more after demineralization. Mean lesion depth increments were 40.5 ± 4.0 µm for LRAP and 34.5 ± 5.0 µm for LRAP followed by laser treatments. In enamel, time-dependent PLM images of LRAP remineralization showed preferential remineralization of enamel diazone compared to the parazone. LRAP remineralization followed by laser treatment resulted in reduced enamel porosity after laser treatment. These results suggest that Er: YAG laser irradiation after LRAP remineralization may convert calcium apatite into hydroxyapatites, reducing dental solubility and preventing demineralization cascades.
Conclusions: Ongoing investigations are being conducted to validate these effects, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and evaluate the clinical translatability of combining LRAP with Er: YAG laser treatment for enhancing dental remineralization and preventing the progression of enamel/root caries.