Electron probe micro-analysis of a contact probe after Er:YAG laser tooth ablation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contact probes of Er:YAG laser before and after tooth ablation. Three kinds of contact probe were prepared. The first was an unused probe (NE). The second was used to prepare 10 cervical cavities (KP). The third was a probe that was judged for an exchange by three dentists who had expertise with Er:YAG laser (EX). The surface observation and mapping analysis were performed. The contact surface of NE was a flat and smooth surface, only Si was observed. KP demonstrated an uneven surface, Si was observed throughout, with scattered indications of Ca and P. EX displayed regions of fracture along the edge and a surface exhibiting dissolved adherents in parts. It was suggested that micro-explosions have effects on not only the tooth substance, but also the contact surface of the probe.