Er,Cr:YSGG and 980nm diode lasers influence dentin surface volume after cariogenic challenge: in vitro study

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the Er,Cr:YSGG irradiation and 980-nm diode lasers on the surface roughness (SR) and volume loss (VL) of dentin subjected to cariogenic challenge. Subsequently, 130 specimens of bovine dentin were divided into the following 13 groups: NT: no treatment; FG: fluoride gel; FV: fluoride varnish; Di: 980-nm diode; Di + FG; Di + FV; FG + D; FV + Di; Er: Er,Cr:YSGG; Er + FG; Er + FV; FG + Er and FV + Er. Er,Cr:YSGG laser parameters were as follows: 0.25 W; 5.0 Hz; 4.46 J/cm2 without water and 55% air. Furthermore, the 980-nm diode laser parameters were 2.0 W; 2.0 Hz; 21.41 J/cm(2). The samples from each group were subjected to pH cycling. A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to evaluate SR and VL. Difference between the volume of the reference and treated areas + DES/RE was used to determine SR and VL. The mean values of the different groups were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test. The VL values were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn post-hoc test (p < 0.05). The SR of the reference area did not show a statistically significant difference compared with areas subjected to different types of treatment and cariogenic challenge (p > 0.05). Moreover, VL in the FV + Di and FV + Er groups showed a statistically significant difference compared with areas submitted to different types of treatment and cariogenic challenge (p > 0.05). Er,Cr:YSGG and 980-nm diode lasers associated with fluoride varnishes decreased dentin VL in bovine teeth submitted to cariogenic challenge.