Effect of sample storage conditions on Er:YAG laser ablation of enamel, dentin, and bone

摘要

Samples of bone, dentin and enamel were stored in distilled water, 10% neutral buffered formalin, 70% ethyl alcohol or 6% sodium hypochlorite solutions for fifteen days. Other samples were stored in the same solutions for 36 hours and then transferred to distilled water for the remainder of the fifteen day period. Finally, samples than had been stored dry for up to 5 years were rehydrated and ablated. All enamel specimens appeared unaffected by the storage conditions. Dentin samples were very significantly affected by all storage methods. Bone samples were affected by most storage conditions. Samples stored in sodium hypochlorite had as much as a 100 percent increase in ablation rate. Surprisingly, dry stored samples that were reconstituted for 36 hours ablated at virtually the same rate as those stored in distilled water. None of the storage conditions studied produced ablation rates that mirrored in vivo ablation. Sterilization by autoclave is the only reliable and safe method studied but cannot be used on teeth with amalgam fillings for safety reasons. Teeth with fillings should be stored in 10% neutral bufferred formalin for a minimum of one week.