ArticleLasers in medical science2026
Optimization of Er: YAG pulse duration and repetition rate for efficient, dentin‑preserving caries removal.
Article in Lasers in medical science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Role of lasers in restorative dentistry: a review and update.Frontiers in dental medicine · 2026Review
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8 authors.
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Abstract
purposeTo evaluate the effects of pulse duration and repetition rate on Er: YAG laser ablation efficiency and sound dentin preservation in artificial and natural carious models.
methodsFifty-six artificially decalcified dentin specimens were allocated to six Er: YAG laser groups (L1-L6; pulse durations 50-300 µs, repetition rates 20-40 Hz, energies 60-70 mJ) and one rotary bur control (n = 8 each). Twenty-four natural carious molars were assigned to medium-short pulse (MSP: 100 µs, 40 Hz) versus bur or super-short pulse (SSP: 50 µs, 40 Hz) versus bur comparisons (n = 12 pairs each). Sound dentin loss (mm²) and treatment duration (s/mm²) were quantified using standardized radiography or three-dimensional surface scanning, and ablation threshold changes (ΔE = E₁ - E₂) were assessed in natural carious model.
resultsIn the artificial model, L1 (70 mJ, 300 µs, 20 Hz) yielded the lowest sound dentin loss (median 0.040 mm², IQR 0.037-0.043), significantly less than bur (p < 0.001) and short-pulse groups L4 and L6 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001). L4 (70 mJ, 50 µs, 40 Hz) achieved the shortest laser treatment duration (mean 190.64 s/mm², SD 36.90; p < 0.05 vs. L1-L3). In natural caries, both MSP and SSP protocols preserved sound dentin comparably to bur (p > 0.05) but required 3.3- and 2.6-fold longer treatment times, respectively (p < 0.0001). Overall, 70% of specimens exhibited ΔE reductions of 5-10 mJ (maximum 20 mJ).
conclusionWithin a conservative energy range, short-pulse, high-repetition-rate Er: YAG settings enhance caries removal efficiency and lower ablation thresholds while preserving sound dentin similarly to rotary burs, supporting their application in minimally invasive deep-caries management.
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