Laser-Induced Effects on Tooth Structure IV: A Study of Changes in the Calcium and Phosphorus Contents in Dentine by Electron Probe Microanalysis

Abstract

The changes in the mineral contents of lased dentine were studied by microradiography and electron probe microanalysis. Irradiation with a CO₂-laser caused the formation of a crater in the wall of which were two radiopaque layers. The calcium and phosphorus contents of these layers were clearly higher than those of normal dentine. The contents were higher in the layer closer to the crater. The changes in mineral contents were considerably greater at the mouth of the crater, close to the surface of the tooth, than in the lower depths in the dentine.