Potential mechanism for the laser-fluoride effect on enamel demineralization

Laser-induced prevention of dental caries has been studied extensively. however,the cariostatic mechanisms of a combined fluoride-laser treatment are not well-understood. using micro- computed tomography (micro-ct),we quantified the effect of fluoride and/or er:yag laser treatment on enamel demineralization. the mean mineral loss (%/v) for each group was 4,870 ± 1,434 (fluoride followed by laser treatment),6,341 ± 2,204 (laser treatment),7,669 ± 2,255 (fluoride treatment),and 10,779 ± 2,936 (control). the preventive effect of the laser (p < 0.001) and fluoride (p = 0.010) treatment was statistically significant. characterized by micro-x-ray diffraction (xrd) analysis,the significant contraction in the a-axis after both laser and combined laser/fluoride treatment was revealed (both p < 0.05). in conclusion,subablative low-energy er:yag laser irradiation following fluoride treatment may instantaneously transform enamel hydroxyapatite into fluoridated hydroxyapatite to reduce enamel solubility as a preventive treatment for enamel demineralization. © 2013 international & american associations for dental research.