Efficiency of dry versus wet Er,Cr:YSGG laser debonding of lithium disilicate veneers using different power outputs.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Since water is the chromophore for the erbium, chromium-yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser, the laser energy reaching the restoration decreases as part of it is absorbed by water. Theoretically, reducing the water or implementing dry debonding could reduce the energy consumed by water, increasing laser efficiency. Studies on whether it is suitable for removing veneers without using coolant are lacking.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the debonding time, intrapulpal temperature, and translucency of veneers during wet versus dry debonding with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser using different power outputs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty-three maxillary central incisors were flattened labially to receive ceramic specimens. After cementation, ceramic specimens were irradiated with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser for debonding with different power outputs and water percentages (N=70): subgroup A1, 4 W and 1% water; A20, 4 W and 20% water; A40, 4 W and 40% water; B1, 5 W and 1% water; B20, 5 W and 20% water; B40, 5 W and 40% water; C1, 6 W and 1% water; C20, 6 W and 20% water; C40, 6 W and 40% water, and a control group of unbonded ceramic specimens. During debonding, the temperature rise and debonding time were evaluated, followed by the evaluation of the translucency and surface topography of the debonded specimens. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Dunnett test were used to analyze the data (α=.05).

RESULTS

The mean intrapulpal temperature rise varied significantly among groups B and C (P<.001), with the highest mean temperature rise found in subgroup B1 (4.00 ±0.00 ºC) and the lowest mean temperature rise in subgroup C20 (1.20 ±0.45 ºC). For the debonding time, the mean values of time required for debonding varied significantly among different groups (P<.001), with the longest time recorded in subgroup A1 (333.4 ±74.8 s) and the shortest time recorded in subgroup C20 (17.0 ±6.0 s). Only subgroups C1 (18.89 ±0.2) and C40 (18.60 ±0.2) showed a significantly lower translucency than the control group (19.44 ±0.06) (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Dry Er,Cr:YSGG laser debonding resulted in increased intrapulpal temperature when using high power outputs, but without exceeding the critical threshold of dental pulp temperature. Dry debonding also limited the transmission of laser energy, affecting the debonding efficiency. A power output of 5 W and 20% water can be considered efficient and safe laser parameters for debonding lithium disilicate veneers if their reuse is intended.