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Results

Thermally induced chemical changes to both mineral and the collagen matrix were observed with SR-FTIR with a 10 microm spatial resolution and those changes were correlated with optical changes observed with PLM. Minimal (< 10 microm) thermal damage was observed for pulse durations less than the thermal relaxation time (Tr) of the deposited laser energy, with and without applied water at 9.6 microm and with only applied water at 2.79 microm. For pulse durations greater than Tr, greater peripheral thermal damage was observed for both IR laser wavelengths with and without the water-spray. There was minimal thermal damage for 355 nm laser pulses less than Tr with and without applied water; however, extensive mechanical damage (cracks) was observed.

Conclusions

High resolution SR-FTIR is well suited for characterization of the chemical changes that occur due to thermal damage peripheral to laser incisions in proteinaceous hard tissues. Sub-microsecond pulsed IR lasers resonant with water and mineral absorption bands ablate dentin efficiently with minimal thermal damage. Similar laser parameters are expected to apply to the ablation of alveolar bone.