538-548 494 Pt 2 Shamsaddin Feb 2 2028.fm

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of Er:YAG laser irradiation on the fluoride ion (F) uptake of primary enamel. It is believed that Er:YAG laser irradiation on the dental structure can lead to a more F uptake and a more acid-resistant surface. Ninety enamel samples obtained from 90 primary canines were ground and randomly divided into six groups (n=15): group 1 (G1): no treatment (negative control); G2: F varnish #1; G3: F varnish #2; G4: Er:YAG laser (2 Hz, 80-90 mJ, 60 s/cm2, handpiece RO2, beam diameter at the focal area 300 μm); G5: F varnish #1 + Er:YAG laser, and G6: F varnish #2 + Er:YAG laser. After the surface treatment, the samples were submitted to an acid challenge consisting of daily immersion for 5 days in demineralizing and remineralizing solutions for 3 and 21 hr per day, respectively. The F concentrations were then calculated with a potentiometer. Chi-squared and variance analysis with post hoc Tukey tests were used for the statistical analyses (p<0.05). There were statistical differences between G1 and G4 when compared with G2, G3, and G6 (p<0.05). G2, G3, G5, and G6 exhibited a higher F uptake compared with G4 and the non-irradiated samples (G1). The findings revealed that Er:YAG lasers can be a suitable tool for enhancing primary enamel resistance to acids.