Automated ablation of dental composite using an IR pulsed laser coupled to a plume emission spectral feedback system.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The purpose of this study is to assemble a laser system for the selective removal of dental composite from tooth surfaces, that is feasible for clinical use incorporating a spectral feedback system, a scanning system, articulating arm and a clinical hand-piece, and evaluate the performance of that system on extracted teeth.

Methods

Ten extracted teeth were collected and small fillings were placed on the occlusal surface of each tooth. A clinical system featuring a CO₂ laser operating at 50 Hz and spectral optical feedback was used to remove the composite. Removal was confirmed using a cross polarized optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT) system designed for clinical use.

Results

The system was capable of rapidly removing composite from small prepa

SUBMITTER: Jang AT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5568963 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature