Surface Characterisation of Laser Modified Human Tooth Enamel Using Laser Microprobe Mass Spectrometry and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

A technique in preventative dentistry currently under development is the modification of the tooth surface by the fusion of glassy metal oxides into the enamel surface using a CO₂ laser. This could provide a protective coating to the tooth which would be applied in the mouth. Such a radical treatment is intended to produce major changes in chemistry at the tooth surface and characterisation of these changes is a necessary part of the development of the technology. LMMS and SEM have been used, as part of a feasibility study, to characterise coatings deposited with laser assisted fusion on the surface of human tooth enamel, in particular the chemical and topographical changes taking place. The results demonstrate that the analytical approach adopted provides useful qualitative information about the physical and chemical changes taking place. They highlight the fact that although deposition of the coating is patchy, areas are present where the coating has apparently fused to the tooth enamel. Changes in the chemistry of the tooth enamel subjected to laser irradiation were identified, both in the absence of coating precursors and with precursor materials present.