Abstract: In this study the affects of a pulsed excimer laseremitting at 308 nm (XeCl) on enamel susceptibility toartificial caries-like lesions were investigated.Additional effects of fluoride (F) application werealso studied and SEC examinations performed. Sixty-fourextracted human molar teeth were coated with acidresistant varnish leaving four windows, then sectioned,leaving one window on each tooth quarter. The windowswere treated in one of the following ways: untreated(control), or lased, or exposed to 4 min. APF (1.23% F)before lasing, or exposed to 4 min. APF (1.23% F) afterlasing. After lasing, microhardness profiles wereobtained and SEM was performed. Caries resistance wasgenerally increased at moderate fluences. F applicationcombined with lasing enhanced caries resistance at someparameters. SEM showed effects ranging from minimal tolocalized effects to extended glazing. Pulsed excimerlaser irradiation, especially combined with topical Fapplication can inhibit development of artificialcaries-like lesions. !10
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