Aims and objectives: The efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser irradiation combined with fluoride in inhibiting enamel demineralization has been demonstrated by several laboratory investigations. However, there are very few reports about the in situ or in vivo caries preventive effect of CO2 laser combined with topical fluoride on dental enamel. Hence, an in situ study was designed and carried out to assess inhibition of mineral loss from human tooth enamel by CO2 laser and 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF).
Material and methods: Impressions of upper and lower arch of the volunteers were made in alginate impression material. Study models were poured, duplicated, and duly labeled. On the working model, appliances were fabricated in acrylic resin to fit the upper dental arch of the volunteers. Four enamel slabs (one from each group) were fitted on the palatal surface of the appliance as close as possible to posterior teeth. Surfaces of slabs were kept below the outer surface of acrylic. The analysis was done using SPSS version 15 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) Windows software program.
Results: Statistically significant increase in inhibition of mineral loss of enamel slabs when treated individually or in a combination of low power CO2 laser and 1.23% APF solution. The application of 1.23% APF solution after low power CO2 laser treatment showed maximum inhibition of mineral loss.
Conclusion: The combined use of this specific laser treatment plus fluoride was more successful than either laser treatment or fluoride alone in the inhibition of mineral loss in the mouth. The results of this study also suggest that the combination of low power laser treatment with fluoride therapy may be effective as a caries inhibition treatment.
Keywords: Assessment; carbon dioxide laser; dental caries; fluoride; mineral loss.