Evaluation of the preventive effect of diode laser and fluoride on enamel erosion

The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the effect of preventive of enamel erosion by diode laser and fluoride on bovine teeth. Totally 4 experimental groups [control (K), fluoride (F), diode laser (D) and F +D] were formed whereby each group was consisted of 10 enamel specimens. All samples were subjected to 10 day erosion cycle. Beginning, after the treatment, after the 1, 3, 5 and 10 days erosion cycle, amounts of F, Ca, P and rations of Ca/P in enamel surfaces were calculated by EDX. Morphological changes were investigated by SEM. Additionally, volumetric changes were displayed by micro-CT. All datas were evaluated statistically using SPSS 17 software program. Amount of F uptake on the enamel surface in the F+D group were higher than other groups (p<0.05). After application of diode laser, decrease was detected in the of F values and Ca/P ratios on the enamel surface, but this decrease rate was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Considering the F values and Ca/P ratios of the groups was exposed to erosion cycle, while the highest value in the F+D group, the lowest values were found to be the K group. Following only application of the diode laser, craters and pits shaped grooves was monitored on the enamel surface, but the application of diode lasers with F were applied any thermal damage wasn't observed. Analyzing the SEM and micro-CT images were founded that F+D group was the most resistant group to erosion and control group was the most vulnerable group to erosion. As a result, the combined use of the diode laser with F prevented the enamel erosion by enhances the fluoride uptake enamel surface. Thus the combined use of the diode laser with F may be an alternative treatment method for prevent enamel erosion.