Evaluation of Er:YAG Laser and Fluoride Ion Effects on the Remineralization of Enamel White Spot Lesions

The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effects of Er:YAG laser (λ=2940 nm) and acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel on the acid resistance of enamel white spot lesions, when applied alone or combined together.
This laboratory study was conducted on 90buccal and lingual slabs of human molar teeth. The samples were submitted to pH-cycling model to create white spot lesions. Subsequently, they were randomly assigned into six groups of positive control (without enamel white spot lesion), negative control (with enamel white spot lesion), enamel treated with APF gel, enamel irradiated with Er:YAG laser, pre-treated with APF gel followed by Er:YAG laser irradiation, and pre-irradiated with Er:YAG followed by APF gel application. Before and after the treatments, the samples were analyzed using potentiometer in order to evaluate the fluoride contents. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA tests (P=0.05).
According to the results, the application of APF gel before or after laser irradiation resulted in the highest enamel resistance to acid and fluoride uptake (P As the findings indicated,Er:YAG laser changes the chemical combination of the enamel, and improves enamel hardness, especially when combined with topical fluoride, suggesting its anticaries potential