Objective: To demonstrate the progression of crater growth during repeated sequential application of an Er:YAG laser to enamel and dentine, monitored using X-ray microtomography (XMT).
Design: A single centre study in which laser craters were created in blocks cut from human enamel and/or dentine under standardised and known conditions and then studied using XMT to obtain visualisation and quantification of the effects.
Setting: University setting, UK, 2001.
Main outcome measures: Success was judged by an ability to obtain useful 3D XMT reconstructions of the blocks during crater development, and to make measurements from these data. These measurements were compared with data obtained from similar studies using different measurement techniques.
Results: Time sequences of 2D and 3D images were obtained which demonstrated the progression of laser craters in enamel and dentine. Quantitative measurements from these data enabled values to be derived for the rate of progression of crater depth per unit energy, and the volume of hard tissue removed per unit energy. These values were compared with data derived from other studies and shown to be broadly comparable. However, the present study is unique in that these values were obtained from a series of measurements of the same craters over time.
Conclusions: 3D X-ray microtomography is shown to be a useful tool for quantitative measurements in dental research. For the Er:YAG laser, the relationship of laser crater depth and volume of mineral removed to applied energy was found to be linear.