Selective laser ablation of carious lesions using simultaneous scanned near-IR diode and CO₂ lasers

Abstract

Previous studies have established that carious lesions can be imaged with high contrast using near-IR wavelengths coincident with high water absorption, namely 1450-nm, without the interference of stains. It has been demonstrated that computer-controlled laser scanning systems utilizing IR lasers operating at high pulse repetition rates can be used for serial imaging and selective removal of caries lesions. In this study, a point-to-point scanning system was developed integrating a 1450-nm diode laser with the CO2 ablation laser. This approach is advantageous since it does not require an expensive near-IR camera. In this pilot study, we demonstrate the feasibility of a combined NIR and IR laser system for the selective removal of carious lesions.

Image-guided removal of interproximal lesions with a CO2 laser

“…Highly scattering demineralized surfaces appear brighter in the NIR reflectance images, while sound tissues appear dark. Lesion pixels were designated for removal by analysis of the image histogram and the distribution of intensities as described in our previous paper presented last year [6]. Examples of designated pixel areas are shown outlined in red in Figs.…”

“…Thus, NIR reflectance is capable of rendering high contrast images of demineralization even in the presence of stains. In combination with computer-controlled laser scanning systems, NIR reflectance images can be transcribed into ablation maps for precise demineralization removal and in a previous paper presented last year NIR light at 1450-nm was used to guide the removal of lesions from tooth occlusal surfaces [6]. …”