Laser-Assisted Caries Prevention in Dental Enamel

Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, driven by acid‐producing bacteria that demineralise the hydroxyapatite matrix of enamel. Laser‐assisted approaches have emerged as a non‐invasive adjunct to traditional preventive measures, employing focused light energy to modify enamel structure, enhance fluoride uptake and inhibit bacterial colonisation. When applied under controlled parameters, lasers such as erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG), neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) and various diode devices induce surface melting, recrystallisation and chemical alterations (notably increased calcium-to-phosphate ratio and reduced carbonate content). These changes confer greater acid resistance, reduce subsurface lesion depth and can promote a cariostatic environment. In vitro studies have also documented minimal intrapulpal temperature rise, underscoring the potential safety of the technique. Synergy with topical fluorides further amplifies remineralisation, while optical methods such as optical coherence tomography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy facilitate real-time monitoring of demineralisation dynamics. Taken together, laser-based interventions offer a promising route to reinforce enamel integrity, particularly for individuals at high risk of caries or in situations where conventional preventive measures are insufficient. Ongoing work seeks to standardise protocols, confirm long-term efficacy in vivo and expand accessibility in diverse clinical settings.

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Laser-Assisted Caries Prevention in Dental Enamel publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in laser-assisted caries prevention in dental enamel across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cariostatic effect: The capacity of a treatment to inhibit the initiation or progression of dental caries.

Demineralisation: Loss of mineral constituents (primarily calcium and phosphate) from enamel under acidic conditions.

Remineralisation: Restoration of mineral content to demineralised enamel through deposition of calcium and phosphate ions.

Laser ablation: Controlled removal or alteration of tissue surface by laser energy, producing melting and recrystallisation in enamel.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT): Non-invasive imaging technique using back-scattered light to generate high-resolution cross-sectional views of dental tissues.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR): Analytical method that measures infrared absorption by chemical bonds to determine compositional changes in enamel.

References

1. Chemical Changes Associated with Increased Acid Resistance of Er:YAG Laser Irradiated Enamel. The Scientific World JOURNAL (2014).
2. Assessment of the preventive effects of Nd:YAG laser associated with fluoride on enamel caries using optical coherence tomography and FTIR spectroscopy. PLOS ONE (2021).
3. Comparative Evaluation of Influence of Nd:YAG Laser (1064 nm) and 980 nm Diode Laser on Enamel around Orthodontic Brackets: An In Vitro Study. Medicina (2022).