Use of the laser for welding cracks on the dental enamel.

An all line argon laser beam of initial power 2W (4000W/cm2-800 J/cm2, after focusing), was used to weld enamel cracks on extracted human teeth. The welding, observed with the naked eye, caused a small heightening in the welded area which was whiter in color than the rest of the enamel. Examinations were performed on the outer surface of the welding with an inverted metallurgical microscope and using a microdurometer. Sections were then made and studied, on the one hand with a light microscope, and on the other using microradiographical methods. The welding was seen to reach across half the enamel thickness. The possibilities for therapeutic applications of this work are discussed.