Measurement of Nd:YAG laser-induced pulpal damage in dental treatment

Abstract

Thermal-induced destruction of the pulpal material due to prolonged exposure of tooth to layer radiation is an important complication during the application of lasers In dentistry. The temperature rise in the pulp chamber due to the exposure of tooth samples to a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser producing 8 ns pulses at JO Hz repetition rate is reponed here. Experimental results indicate that the pulpal damage can be avoided by choosing appropriate exposure time for a given laser energy level. For laser energy greater than 100 ml exposure time longer than 5 s will lead to irreversible damage of the pulp. These results are useful for dentists to select appropriate laser energies and the exposure times for safe application of Nd:YAG laser in dentistry.