The Irregularity Index: A quantitative score of mandibular anterior alignment

Stability and relapse of mandibular anterior alignment-first premolar extraction cases treated by traditional edgewise orthodontics.

Compendium of continuing education in dentistry

Scanning electron microscopic observations of the pulsed carbon dioxide laser effect on human enamel support microradiographic findings and indicate that this laser is significantly more efficient than the ruby laser within the limits of this investigation. Surface changes which were suggestive of fusion occurred between energy densities of 13 to 50 joules per square centimeter.

Lased Enamel: Ultrastructural Observations of Pulsed Carbon Dioxide Laser Effects

A long-term prospective evaluation of the circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy in alleviating orthodontic relapse

An index for assessing tooth shape deviations as applied to the mandibular incisors

Laser technology, in just five years after its birth, has opened many intriguing areas of medical research and clinical application. Preliminary tests have shown the pulsed ruby laser to have demonstrable effects on tooth structure in vivo and in vitro. In this study, several extracted noncarious maxillary incisors were prepared for enamel and dentin laser irradiation. An Ivorine Dentoform tooth was also irradiated. The apparatus employed was a focused, pulsed ruby laser head with a 2,000 joule power supply. After lasing, the samples were examined grossly and microscopically: 1.Enamel exhibited gross cratering from 0.1 to 1.1 mm. deep, depending on the amount of energy delivered to the target area. In dentin-deep enamel penetrations, a dark speckling of the exposed dentin subjacent to the lased enamel was observed. Examination under polarized light strongly suggested the presence of laser-induced crystallographic changes in the enamel bordering the enamel craters. 2.Dentin laser impacts yielded shallow, irregular craters less than 0.1 mm. deep. Three distinct zones of dentinal destruction were revealed: (a) a central zone of complete dentinal destruction; (b) an immediately surrounding zone of partial dentinal destruction; and (c) a scattered zone of dark speckling beyond the first two zones. 3.Lased Ivorine demonstrated the mildest effect, showing only surface irregularities. Suggestions are presented for possible future applications of the laser, as the state of the art of laser technology advances. Laser radiation offers exciting possibilities in dental research, oral tumor management, instrumentation, and precision techniques in restorative and prosthetic dentistry. Though laser researchers are presently too committed to the advancement of the state of the art to divert their attention to practical applications, this should not discourage dental investigators from uncovering further the laser's applicability to dentistry.

Sheldon Peck

Papers

An index for assessing tooth shape deviations as applied to the mandibular incisors

Laser radiation: Some specific dental effects and an evaluation of its potential in dentistry