THE COMBINED USE OF SODIUM FLUORIDE AND ER: YAG LASER TO CONTROL THE PROGRESSION OF ENAMEL CARIES

Fabiana Almeida Curylofo-Zotti*, Gabriela Solano Tanta, Ana Laura Zugliani, Silmara Aparecida Milori Corona

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the influence of the 0.05% NaF combined with Er:YAG laser irradiation to control dental enamel demineralization. Slabs of bovine enamel (3x3mm) were submitted to cariogenic challenges by pH-cycling method (5 days). After cycles, slabs were assigned into four groups, according to treatments (n=15): Placebo; Er:YAG Laser+Placebo; 0.05% NaF and Er:YAG Laser + 0.05% NaF. After surface treatment, new cariogenic challenges (14 days) were performed following the same protocol. The microhardness analysis was performed before caries formation and after cariogenic challenges. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by DUNCAN test, at significance level of 1%. After cariogenic challenges, the placebo group (128.19 ± 6.68) presented the lowest microhardness values. The simultaneous action of Er:YAG laser + NaF (231.92 ± 22.81) promoted the highest values of enamel microhardness, followed by the treatments with Er:YAG laser (196.45 ± 33.76) and NaF (153.59 ± 14.80). The use of NaF combined with the Er: YAG laser may be an alternative to control the demineralization of enamel exposed to high cariogenic challenge.

Keywords: Sodium fluoride, Er:YAG laser, enamel & caries.