A study of water induced Er:YAG laser ablation of dental hard tissue /

Water induced ablation by the Er:YAG laser for different

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kwon, Yonghoon, 1961-
Format: Thesis Book
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified] ; 1997.
Subjects:
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Description
Summary:Water induced ablation by the Er:YAG laser for different
pulse widths was studied in dental hard tissue.
Understanding the effects of exogenous water in the ablation
of dental hard tissue for different pulse widths is important
for the optimal and safe usage of water in dental treatment.
In the free-running Er:YAG laser, the use of exogenous water
drop lowered temperature rise in the pulp cavity to a safe
level as compared to ablation without the use of exogenous
water. The average ablation rate through a given thickness
of the tooth was enhanced with water drop than that of the
case of dry surface for thickness of about 1 mm or more. In
the Q-switched laser, exogenous water drop enhanced the
ablation rate and yielded minor mechanical damage in the
ablated area. Exogenous water enhanced mechanical effects as
measured by recoil momentum and pressure in the free-running
and Q-switched laser, respectively. The difference of
ablation rates in the different lasing modes, free-running
and Q-switched, is attributed to the different ablation
mechanism due to different pulse width. In a separate study
the effect of temperature rise propagation as a 'wave' for
very short laser pulses was analyzed. In situations dealing
with extremely fast rate processes such as those induced by a
very short pulse laser, a Fourier heat conduction model shows
the limitation in describing the temperature field. The wave
nature of a thermal energy transport and a finite buildup
time of heat flow were observed in the nonFourier
(hyperbolic) heat conduction model, and these phenomena were
not recognized by the Fourier (parabolic) heat conduction
model. The hyperbolic heat conduction model is expected to
be a useful theoretical tool for the understanding of the
thermal effects which occur in the ultra-short pulse range.
Item Description:Vita.
"Major Subject: Bioengineering".
Physical Description:x, 87 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references: pages 72-78.