Yoshito Hirai

The amounts of hydroxyl radicals generated by titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide under 405-nm diode laser irradiation

A new bleaching agent consisting of a titanium dioxide photocatalyst and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide has recently been developed for in-office bleaching and has proven to react well with irradiated light around a wavelength of 400 nm. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dental bleaching with a 405-nm diode laser irradiation on titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide by measuring the generation of hydroxyl radicals. The amount of hydroxyl radicals generated from a titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide irradiated by a 405-nm diode laser were measured using electron spin resonance spin-trapping techniques. The irradiation conditions of the laser were a spot size of 1 mm, output powers of 100, 200, 400 mW, and 600 mW, and irradiation times of 10, 20, 30, and 60 s. Nonirradiated samples were used as controls. DMPO-OH adduct spectra and DMPO-O2− adduct spectra were observed when the bleaching agent was irradiated by laser light. The amount of hydroxyl radicals generated changed in accordance with adjustments in the irradiation power and irradiation time. In the nonirradiated controls, hydroxyl radicals were generated in far smaller amounts. The 405-nm diode laser is effective in inducing the generation of hydroxyl radicals and shows promise as a bleaching light source for use in combination with bleaching agents composed of titanium dioxide and low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.

Specific Microbial Colonizations in the Periodontal Sites of HIV-Infected Subjects

The purpose of this study was to examine colonization by specific organisms at periodontal sites in HIV‐seropositive [HIV(+)] subjects. A total of 67 HIV(+) and 32 HIV(‐) subjects were investigated. The specific pathogens included black‐pigmented anaerobic rods (BPAR), Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Candida albicans and mycoplasma species. P. gingivalis was present in the HIV(+) subjects more frequently than in the HIV(‐) periodontitis patients (P < 0.01). The cell numbers of BPAR and P. gingivalis and percentages as the total of CFUs on blood agar cultured in an anaerobic chamber were statistically higher in periodontal pocket samples from HIV(+) than from HIV(‐). A. actinomycetemcomitans was also detected at a high rate (41.8%) in HIV(+) patients. The average cell numbers of C. albicans were higher in samples from the HIV(+) group (P < 0.05). The detection rate of mycoplasma species in the HIV(+) patients was significantly lower than that in HIV(‐) subjects (P < 0.05), and most isolated mycoplasma strains were Mycoplasma salivarium.

Influence of Finishing/Polishing Procedures on the Surface Texture of Two Resin Composites

This study compared surface roughness and gloss produced by different finishing/polishing procedures for two resin composites, Clearfil AP-X (AP-X) and Estelite Σ (ES). A total of 70 composite discs (n=35 for each resin composite) were prepared and divided at random into seven finishing/polishing groups (n=5): glass-pressed control; using a super-fine-grit diamond bur (SF); using CompoMaster (CM) after SF-finishing (SF+CM); using White Point (WP) after SF-finishing (SF+WP); using CM after SF+WP-finishing (SF+WP+CM); using Stainbuster (SB) after SF-finishing (SF+SB); and using CM after SF+SB-finishing (SF+SB+CM). After the finishing/polishing procedures, average surface roughness (Ra) and surface gloss (Gs(60°)) of all specimens were assessed with a surface profilometer and specimen gloss meter, respectively. Glass-pressed controls for both AP-X and ES composites showed the best surface finish in terms of both Ra and Gs(60°). SF-finishing produced the roughest surface and led to almost complete loss of gloss. While additional polishing with CM reduced Ra and increased Gs(60°), the additional finishing effect of WP or SB between SF-finishing and CM-polishing was not found for either AP-X or ES.

Bleaching effect of a 405-nm diode laser irradiation used with titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide

A 405-nm diode laser has recently been developed for soft tissue problems in dentistry. A new in-office bleaching agent consisting of a titanium dioxide photocatalyst and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide has proven to react well with light irradiated at a wavelength of around 400 nm. In this study, we evaluated the bleaching efficacy of a newly developed 405-nm diode laser on bovine teeth treated with a bleaching agent composed of titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide. Sixteen bovine incisors were randomly divided into two groups: Group A, irradiated by the 405-nm diode laser at 200 mW; Group B, irradiated by the 405-nm diode laser at 400 mW. The bleaching agent with titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide was applied to bovine enamel and irradiated for 1 min. The specimens were then washed and dried, and the same procedure was repeated nine more times. After irradiation, we assessed the effects of bleaching on the enamel by measuring the color of the specimens with a spectrophotometer and examining the enamel surfaces with a scanning electron microscope. L* rose to a high score, reaching a significantly higher post-treatment level in comparison to pretreatment. In a comparison of the color difference (ΔE) between Group A and Group B, the specimens in Group B showed significantly higher values after 10 min of irradiation for the post-treatment. No remarkable differences in the enamel surface morphology were found between the unbleached and bleached enamel. The use of a 405-nm diode laser in combination with a bleaching agent of titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide may be an effective method for bleaching teeth without the risk of tooth damage.

Influence of output energy and pulse repetition rate of the Er:YAG laser on dentin ablation.

OBJECTIVE We sought to improve the efficiency of dentin ablation with the Er:YAG laser by investigating the effects of output energy and pulse repetition rate on ablation. BACKGROUND DATA The Er:YAG laser is superior to other lasers in ablating dental hard tissues. However, the factors affecting the efficiency of ablation with an Er:YAG laser remain unclear. METHODS Fifty bovine root dentin plates were irradiated with an Er:YAG laser at an output power of 1.0 W, 1.5 W, or 2.0 W under a water spray while moving the plate at 1 mm/sec. After irradiation, the depth and volume of each ablated site were measured by laser microscopy and the ablated surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS The output power showed a strong positive correlation with the depth and volume of ablation. The output energy had much more pronounced effects on the depth and volume of ablation compared to the pulse repetition rate. The shape of the ablated site varied with the output power, and no cracking or vitrification was observed under the irradiated dentin. The most effective parameters for dentin ablation were an output power of 2.0 W, with an output energy of 80 mJ/pulse at 25 pulses per second (pps) or 100 mJ/pulse at 20 pps. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the output energy is the main factor affecting the efficiency of dentin ablation with an Er:YAG laser. We propose that the efficiency of dentin ablation can be improved by choosing an optimal combination of output energy and repetition rate.

Tensile Bond Strength of Single-Step Self-Etch Adhesives to Er:YAG Laser-Irradiated Dentin

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of Er:YAG laser irradiation on the bond strength to dentine of three single-step adhesives (AQ Bond Plus, G-Bond, and Clearfil Tri-S Bond), and one two-step self-etch adhesive (Clearfil Megabond) as a control. BACKGROUND DATA The vast majority of the numerous reports on resin bonding to Er:YAG-lased dentine have concluded that Er:YAG laser irradiation is less effective in terms of bond strength, because of the sub-surface damage it produces. However, its effect in combination with single-step adhesives on bonding to dentine remains to be clarified. METHODS Eighty bovine incisors were ground with silicon carbide paper to obtain a flat dentine surface, which 40 were irradiated with an Er:YAG laser. Both lased and unlased dentine was bonded to a resin composite with each adhesive. Tensile bond strength was determined after 24 h of storage in water at 37 degrees C. Failure patterns after tensile bond testing was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS The two-step self-etch adhesive (Clearfil Megabond) showed the highest bond strength to unlased dentine, but was significantly less effective on lased dentine than the three single-step adhesives. On the other hand, AQ Bond Plus produced an effective bond strength to both lased and unlased dentine, perhaps due to its low viscosity. CONCLUSION The single-step adhesives tested in this study were as effective in combination with Er:YAG-lased dentine as the two-step self-etch adhesive.

Nano-hardness of adhesive interface between Er:YAG laser-irradiated dentin and 4-META/MMA-TBB resin.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hardness of the adhesive interface between resin and Er:YAG laser-irradiated bovine dentin by nano-indentation. BACKGROUND DATA It has been reported that laser output energy and pulse repetition rate affect the tensile bond strength in Er:YAG laser-irradiated dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three laser settings were evaluated at the same total energy level (approximately 1.0 W): 100 mJ/pulse-10 pps (100-10), 50 mJ/pulse-20 pps (50-20), and 33 mJ/pulse-30 pps (33-30). Laser-irradiated dentin in each group was conditioned with 10% citric acid solution containing 3% ferric chloride for 15 sec, rinsed with distilled water for 30 sec, and bonded to PMMA rods with 4-META/MMA-TBB resin. The bonded specimens were sectioned vertically, embedded in epoxy resin, and their nano-hardness measured. A non-irradiated control group was also investigated. RESULTS The adhesive resin interface in the controls showed the lowest level of hardness, which gradually increased from the top of the hybrid layer (0 microm) through the bottom of the hybrid layer (5 microm) and into the underlying dentin ( approximately 10 microm). Significant differences in hardness were observed between the 5 microm point in the controls, the 10 microm and 15 microm points in the 100-10 group, and the 10 microm point in the 50-20 and 33-30 groups. CONCLUSION The results suggest that laser settings affect hybrid layer thickness, even when the total energy level is constant.

Effect of titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide with 405-nm diode laser irradiation on bonding of resin to pulp chamber dentin

This study was conducted to determine the effect of a 3.5% hydrogen peroxide solution containing titanium dioxide on bonding of resin to pulp chamber dentin. Extracted bovine anterior teeth were allocated to three groups of ten teeth each. The coronal labial pulp chamber dentin was exposed and bleached with 3.5% hydrogen peroxide with titanium dioxide with 405-nm diode laser irradiation for 15 min (Group 1); 30% hydrogen peroxide with halogen lamp irradiation for 15 min (Group 2); and distilled water for 15 min (Group 3). After bleaching, the pulp chamber dentin was prepared for composite resin bonding and the interface between the resin and dentin was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and failure patterns were determined. The μTBS values (mean ± SD) were: 17.28 ± 5.79 MPa (n = 36), 0 MPa, and 26.50 ± 9.83 MPa (n = 36) in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The μTBS in Group 3 was significantly higher than that in Group 1 (P < 0.05). Hybrid layers and resin tags were clearly observed at the interface in Groups 1 and 3, but not in Group 2. Adhesive failure was mainly observed in Group 1, whereas dentin failure was the main failure pattern in Group 3.

Effects on soft tissue produced by a visible violet diode laser

A violet laser with an oscillating wavelength of 405 nm has recently been developed in industry. Laser irradiation at this wavelength penetrates tissue less aggressively than Nd:YAG and diode laser irradiation at wavelengths of 810 nm, and more aggressively than irradiation by carbon dioxide laser. Further, protein is reported to absorb this 405 nm wavelength at high rates. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the violet laser on soft tissue in vitro. A prototype violet diode laser produced by Sumitomo Electric Industries was used. This laser irradiates with a continuous wave at a wavelength of 405 nm. Soft tissue samples were irradiated by the device at output powers in a range from 850 mW to 2400 mW as the irradiated samples were conveyed at a scanning speed of 1 mm/sec. The beam diameter was about 270 μm. The irradiated samples were observed by a stereoscopic microscope, fixed with a 10% neutral formalin aqueous solution, and histologically examined. Irradiation by the device vaporized a U-shaped section of tissue to a depth of about 350 to 900 μm. A denatured layer measuring 300 to 450 μm in width was observed under the carbonization layer. The depth of vaporization increased in proportion to the power. These results indicate that a violet laser has good potential to become an effective laser for the cutting and coagulation of soft tissue.

Investigation of ultrashort-pulsed laser on dental hard tissue

Ultrashort-pulsed laser (USPL) can ablate various materials with precious less thermal effect. In laser dentistry, to solve the problem that were the generation of crack and carbonized layer by irradiating with conventional laser such as Er:YAG and CO2 laser, USPL has been studied to ablate dental hard tissues by several researchers. We investigated the effectiveness of ablation on dental hard tissues by USPL. In this study, Ti:sapphire laser as USPL was used. The laser parameter had the pulse duration of 130 fsec, 800nm wavelength, 1KHz of repetition rate and the average power density of 90~360W/cm2. Bovine root dentin plates and crown enamel plates were irradiated with USPL at 1mm/sec using moving stage. The irradiated samples were analyzed by SEM, EDX, FTIR and roughness meter. In all irradiated samples, the cavity margin and wall were sharp and steep, extremely. In irradiated dentin samples, the surface showed the opened dentin tubules and no smear layer. The Ca/P ratio by EDX measurement and the optical spectrum by FTIR measurement had no change on comparison irradiated samples and non-irradiated samples. These results confirmed that USPL could ablate dental hard tissue, precisely and non-thermally. In addition, the ablation depths of samples were 10&mgr;m, 20&mgr;m, and 60&mgr;m at 90 W/cm2, 180 W/cm2, and 360 W/cm2, approximately. Therefore, ablation depth by USPL depends on the average power density. USPL has the possibility that can control the precision and non-thermal ablation with depth direction by adjusting the irradiated average power density.