A comparison of the effects of different wavelengths of argon laser irradiation on the solubility of human enamel: An in vitro study

Decalcification around orthodontic appliances is a problem during orthodontic treatment. Argon laser irradiation has been shown to decrease the solubility of enamel. The objectives were to: (1) determine the time necessary to create lesions of adequate depth, a surface zone and a body of the lesion zone; (2) determine if different wavelengths of argon laser irradiation (457--501nm or 457--514nm) of non-pumiced and non-etched and pumiced and etched enamel provided different levels of resistance to demineralization. Samples were suspended in Ten Cate's buffered acidic solution, thinned and examined under polarized light microscopy. Results show that 48 hours of exposure was adequate to produce the specified lesions. Two different lasers with different wavelengths were used to determine if wavelength made a difference in resistance to acidic attack. Samples were exposed to Ten Cate's solution. Results of this study showed that different wavelengths of argon laser irradiation did not provide different levels of protection against acidic attack.