Krypton fluoride excimer laser ablation of tooth tissues: precision tissue machining.

A variety of lasers using different wavelengths have been used to remove dental hard tissue. The infrared lasers produce their effects photothermally whereas ultraviolet excimer lasers remove tissue in a controlled and precise manner by photoablation. This study investigates the use of 248 nm laser radiation in the precision removal of both enamel and dentine using diffraction limited ultraviolet optics. The data showed that enamel and dentine were machined to a high level of precision (1-2 micron tolerances). The rate of removal was greater in dentine than enamel at a range of energy densities between 1.15 and 2.2 J/cm2. The method of removal of both tissues appears to be by the preferential ablation of the organic phases of each, exposing the anatomical details of their structure. An explanation of the possible method of ablation is proposed for these tissues.