Relationship between Er,Cr:YSGG laser power and surface roughness of lased radicular dentin

Introduction

Recently implemented caries preventive measures such as the extensive marketing of fluoride-containing products and water fluoridation as well as advances in conservative restorative procedures have resulted in a reduction in the prevalence of caries among children and young adults and in increased number of natural teeth present in the oral cavity of the elderly.¹ With tooth retention, older individuals are at a higher risk of denuded root surfaces, which might be due to periodontal diseases or mechanical traumas as a result of inappropriate plaque control measures and incorrect toothbrushing.² Root surface exposure associated with factors such as frequent use of carbohydrates, poor oral hygiene, low social class and reduced salivary flow in the elderly due to systemic diseases or drug use^3-5 often result in decreased pH and increased count of acidogenic microorganisms in the saliva and dental plaque^6,7 and subsequently increased risk of caries in denuded root surfaces.

Recent studies have shown that over 50% of the elderly have root caries, which highlights the importance of measures and techniques to prevent caries in denuded root surfaces of the elderly.⁸

Recent studies support the efficacy of lasers for prevention of demineralization of tooth structures, particularly when sub-ablative laser parameters are applied.⁹ For this purpose, erbium lasers can be used. Erbium lasers are not suitable for removal or ablation of mineralized tissues; rather, they can be used to change the dentin structure to confer resistance to demineralization and caries.^10,11 Changes in tooth composition occur at 100‒1200°C.¹² On the other hand, mineral removal must be minimized from the tooth surface in order to prevent surface irregularities since surface roughness enhances plaque accumulation. Thus, knowledge about the impact of this type of laser in different powers on radicular dentin can greatly help in selection of the most ideal laser power to minimize surface roughness in lased dentin.

The effects of laser depend on the intensity of laser, distance of central beam from the object, size of the central beam and frequency and pulse of the irradiated laser.^13,14 Er,Cr:YSGG laser is an erbium laser with a wavelengthof 2780nm. It operates with a pulsed-beam system with fiber delivery and has a sapphire tip bathed in air and water vapor mixture.^15,16 Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation of enamel with 0.75-W power increases the temperature to the level that it can change the chemical composition of enamel, making it more resistant to acid dissolution. However, risk of morphological changes such as crack formation and increased surface roughness after laser irradiation has also been reported.^12,17 Improved resistance of tooth structure to acidic challenge and increased dentinal tubule seal following irradiation of Er,Cr:YSGG laser in vitro can be translated to decreased susceptibility to caries by cariogenic bacteria in vivo and decreased tooth hypersensitivity.^18,19

Considering all the above, this study sought to assess the impact of Er,Cr:YSGG laser power on surface roughness of lased radicular dentin using AFM. The null hypothesis was that radicular dentin surface roughness would not be significantly different after irradiation of different powers of Er,Cr:YSGG laser.

Materials and Methods

This invitro study was conducted on 15 human third molar teeth extracted within three months. The teeth were evaluated under a stereomicroscope to ensure they did not have any cracks, defects in their structure, enamel ditching or white spot lesions. Sample size was calculated at 15 (n=3 in each of the five groups) considering alpha=0.05, beta=0.2, minimum significant difference of 50nm and standard deviation (SD) of 8nm. The teeth were immersed in 0.05% thymol solution at 37°C up to one day before the experiment when they were immersed in distilled water at 37°C.

Irradiation of laser

Er,Cr:YSGG laser (BIOLASE Inc.,USA) was irradiated at 2780-nm wavelength, pulse duration of 60μS and 20-Hz frequency. Laser was irradiated at 0.25-W(G2), 0.5-W(G3), (G4) and 1-W (G5) powers under water (60%) and air (80%) spray for cooling via an MZ6 glass tip (diameter of 600 μm) with swiping motion at 1-mm distance from the specimen surface in two cycles to ensure uniform irradiation of the entire surface (Figure 1). The total time of laser irradiation for each sample was approximately 30s. The samples were then stored in distilled water in capped test tubes at 37°C.

Figure 1.

Laser irradiation on the specimen surface.

Atomic force microscopy

The samples were subjected to AFM (AFM, JPK, Germany) for assessment of surface roughness and surface topography. Prior to assessment, the samples were dried with nitrogen (N₂) gas and scanned by ACTA silicon probe. Three images measuring 5×5mm were obtained from each surface. To compensate for the possible errors during preparation of samples with abrasive papers (done to eliminate cementum and reach root dentin), all the images were corrected using two filters: subtract a polynomial fit from each scan line independency and replace value with the median of neighboring pixels (Figure 2). Next, each image was evaluated by Data Processing JPK version spm-3.4.15 for measurement of Ra and Rq surface roughness values. The Ra and Rq values were measured in three points in each area with equal distances (1μm) from each other and the mean values were reported as the mean Ra and the mean Rq for each zone. In addition, using a software feature, two-dimensional images were also evaluated three-dimensionally (Figure 3).

Figure 2.

JPK software: Filters used and measurement of surface roughness.

Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 20. One-way ANOVA was applied to compare surface roughness of the groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Figure 3.

Three-dimensional view after applying the filters in JPK software.

Results

The lowest mean Rq and Ra values were found in the laser group with 0.5-W power (G3) while the highest mean Ra and Rq values were found in the laser group with 0.25-W power(G2). The highest numerical Ra and Rq values were noted in the control group (maximum value) and the lowest numerical Rq and Ra values were noted in the laser group with 0.75-W power (G4, minimum value). Table 1 shows the mean and SD values of surface roughness in the five groups. Based on the results, surface roughness (Rq and Ra) in G3 (laser therapy with 0.5-W power) was slightly (but not significantly) lower than that in G2 (0.25-W power) and significantly lower than that in G5 (1W, P=0.003). No such significant differences were noted in other groups. The mean and 95% confidence interval of the Rq surface roughness parameter after laser irradiation are shown in Figures 4 and 5. Laser therapy with 0.5 and 0.75-W power (G3 and G4) decreased surface roughness and the lowest surface roughness value was noted after laser irradiation with 0.5-W power (G3).

Figure 4.

The means and 95% confidence intervals of Rq surface roughness parameter after laser irradiation.

Figure 5.

The means and 95% confidence intervals of Ra surface roughness parameter after laser irradiation.

The mean and SD of Rq and Ra values were the lowest in G3 (0.5W, Rq=65.1±14.2nm and Ra=51.2±11.1nm) but the only significant differences were noted between these values and the corresponding values in G5 (1W, Rq=106.3±21.7nm and Ra=82.7±16.9).

The surface of samples lased with 0.25-W laser (G2) showed the highest surface roughness compared to the control group (G1). Laser therapy with 1-Wpower (G5) also increased the surface roughness but it was still lower than that in the control group.

Discussion

This study sought to assess the relationship of the power of Er,Cr:YSGG laser with surface roughness of lased root dentin; the results showed that 0.5-Wand 0.75-W laser powers decreased surface roughness in comparison with the control group. The difference in surface roughness values was only significant between 1-Wand 0.5-Wlaser power groups.

Evidence shows that laser therapy of enamel and dentin surfaces with high power can increase their acid resistance. Improved resistance of tooth structure to acidic challenge in vitro might be translated as decreased susceptibility to caries by cariogenic bacteria in vivo.¹⁸ Clinical studies have reported promising results regarding the effects of laser on caries prevention in tooth structure.²⁰ Increased resistance of enamel to acids was shown by Stern et al²¹ following the application of pulsed CO₂ laser with energy densities of 13, 25 and 50 J/cm². However, they also pointed to the adverse effects of laser and risk of crack formation following laser irradiation of enamel. All the three laser powers had the same efficacy for conferring resistance to enamel; however, due to less adverse effects, 13 J/cm²energy density was found to be more appropriate. Later on, the efficacy of erbium lasers for conferring resistance to enamel was evaluated with promising results.^11,12 The mechanism of action of lasers in conferring resistance to tooth structure is through decreasing the enamel solubility in acid.²² Freitas et al¹⁶(2010) showed that Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 0.75-W power, 20-Hz frequency and 8.5 J/cm² energy density was capable of conferring resistance to enamel against acidic challenges. They showed that laser increased enamel temperature to the level of melting of enamel crystals, which resulted in changes in the chemical structure and subsequently the acid solubility of enamel. However, use of optimal power and intensity of laser is extremely important since increased temperature and sudden evaporation of water in enamel minerals might lead to micro-explosions and removal of enamel minerals, which make it more susceptible to acids and enhance the occurrence of caries.²³ Similar to its effects on the enamel, laser can confer resistance to dentin as well.

With increased life expectancy, the percentage of the elderly with oral and dental problems associated with aging such as gingival recession and crater-shaped cervical erosions, resulting in denuded root dentin, is increasing.²⁴ Since dentin is more prone to acid challenges, caries in these areas occurs more frequently and progresses faster. Thus, lasers have been suggested to confer resistance to dentin. Hossain et al (2001) evaluated the effect of 5-W and 6-W Er,Cr:YSGG laser on human enamel and dentin and showed that dentin melted following laser irradiation similar to enamel and the melted dentin showed higher resistance to acid challenge than non-lased dentin.²³ Gao et al²⁵(2006) reported changes in the crystalline structure of dentin following laser irradiation. They showed shrinkage in the a-axis dimension of hydroxyapatite, which conferred acid resistance to dent in. Aranha et al¹⁹ indicated that Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 0.25-W and 0.5-W powers sealed the dentinal tubules via melting and freezing, which subsequently decreases tissue permeability. In this condition, sensitivity probably decreases and the occurrence of caries reduces due to deceased penetration of acid into the underlying tissue. Another possible explanation for resistance of mineral tissues particularly dentin to acid following laser irradiation is the organic blocking phenomenon, which refers to blockage of the passage of microorganisms, toxins and nutrients due to partial denaturation of protein matrix by irradiation of laser, which delays enamel and dentin demineralization.

Apel et al²⁶ (2004) indicated that Er,Cr:YSGG laser increased the microhardness of enamel surfaces and conferred resistance to acid challenge. Apel et al¹¹(2000) discussed that Er,Cr:YSGG laser was more effective than Er:YAG in decreasing enamel solubility in acid and explained that this might be attributed to greater absorption of Er,Cr:YSGG by hydroxyapatite crystals. Thus, we used Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 2780-nm wavelength, 60-μs pulse duration and 20-Hz frequency with different powers, which was irradiated on dentin with MZ6 tip. Geraldo-Martin et al¹⁸(2013) showed that irradiation of Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 4.64 J/cm² energy density along with water coolant further opened the dentinal tubules; they concluded that use of water coolant during laser irradiation for prevention of caries in dentin is not much effective since it results in further opening of dentinal tubules, which probably leads to faster progression of caries in dentin. Later in 2014, Geraldo-Martin et al² showed that Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiated with 8.92 J/cm² energy density without water coolant created brown spots on root dentin, which were microscopically shown to be burned dentin due to overheating. They demonstrated that high power Er,Cr:YSGG laser without water coolant caused significant thermal damage in dentin and made it more susceptible to acidic challenge. Thus, laser irradiation must be necessarily accompanied by water-cooling to prevent damage to pulp and dentin; however, the amount of water must be minimal in order not to compromise the anti-caries effects of laser irradiation.² Therefore, we also used a combination of water (60%) and air (80%) coolant in our study. The chosen laser powers in our study (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1W) were based on a previous study by de Freitas et al,¹⁶ since these powers conferred optimal resistance to enamel in their study. They showed that enamel resistance caused by 0.75-W Er,Cr:YSGG laser was higher than that in groups that received fluoride therapy; other powers of laser also showed comparable effects to that of fluoride therapy. This finding is particularly important since concerns still exist with regard to fluoride therapy in young children, and an alternative method to confer resistance to the enamel would be highly appreciated. Despite the confirmed anticariogenic effects of Er,Cr:YSGG laser, they showed morphological changes following irradiation of laser, which highlights the importance of selection of an ideal power to minimize adverse morphological effects.¹⁷

It is noteworthy that previous studies on this topic have been mainly conducted in vitro. However, in the oral environment, bacterial plaque and biofilm have a pivotal role in the occurrence of caries. The surface roughness created by the presence of plaque causes mechanical retention and plays a key role in maintaining an acid-rich and bacteria-rich environment. In general, it can be stated that in the oral environment, it is extremely important not to increase the surface roughness while conferring resistance to enamel and dentin. According to Bollenl et al, the surface roughness threshold required for plaque retention is 0.2μm;²⁷ thus, the difference in roughness of surfaces lased with different powers of laser in our study cannot significantly affect plaque retention and subsequent development of caries.

After confirming the anti-cariogenic effects of lasers, researchers attempted to find an ideal protocol of laser irradiation with maximum anti-cariogenic and minimum morphological effects. Hossain et al (2004) showed that Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 3-W power (70% air, 20% water, 33.9 J/cm² energy density) increased surface roughness of dentin.²³ Our findings revealed that Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation with 0.25- and 1-W powers(2.8 and 11.3j/cm², respectively) increased the surface roughness compared to non-lased dentin surfaces, which was not significant; however, 0.5-W and 0.75-W powers of Er,Cr:YSGG laser decreased surface roughness compared to the control group (higher surface roughness of the control group was due to preparation of dentin with silicon carbide abrasive papers to remove cementum and denude root dentin). In our study, the only significant difference in surface roughness was noted between 0.5-W (lowest) and 1-W (highest) power groups.

Considering all the above, it seems that irradiation of Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 0.5-Wpower yields a smoother dentin surface compared to other laser powers tested in this study and can even decrease the baseline surface roughness of dentin. It appears to be due to melting of apatite crystals on the surface. Overall, it seems that change in surface roughness following the application of Er,Cr:YSGG laser with the parameters used in this study does not alter plaque retention according to the threshold set by Bollenl et al.²⁷ Thus, it is advisable to select ideal laser parameters based on acid solubility. Further studies are required to confirm that laser therapy does not affect surface roughness to the level that changes plaque retention. Also, further studies are recommended to evaluatethe anticariogenic effects of a combination of fluoride therapy and laser therapy and the resultant surface roughness.

Within the limitations of this study, no direct correlation was detectedbetween Er,Cr:YSGG laser power and surface roughness of lased radicular dentin. Laser therapy with a mean power of 0.5Wand 1Wcaused the lowest and highest surface roughness, respectively.In general, it appears that change in surface roughness following the application of Er,Cr:YSGG laser with the parameters used in ourstudy does not alter plaque retention on root dentin.

Acknowledgments

We thank our colleagues from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted the research, although they may not agree with all of the interpretations/conclusions of this paper.

Authors’ contributions

ZH, MPN and SS contributed to the concept and the design of the study. ZH prepared the samples. MPN performed the tests, and SS supervised the conduct of study. SS drafted the manuscript. All authors have contributed to the critical revision of the manuscript, and have read and approved the final paper.

Funding

The funding for this study was provided by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests with regards to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

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