Measurement of shrinkage of composite resin by laser speckle contrast analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shrinkage of a microhybrid dental composite resin photo-activated by one LED with different power densities by means of speckle technique. The dental composite resin Filtek (TM) Z-250 (3M/ESPE) at color A(2) was used for the samples preparation. Uncured composite was packed in a metallic mold and irradiated during 20 s from 100 to 1000 mW cm(-2). For the photo-activation of the samples, it was used a LED prototype (Light Emission Diode) with wavelength centered at 470 nm and adjustable power density until 1 W cm(-2). The speckle patterns obtained from the bottom composite surfaces were monitored using a CCD camera without lens. The speckle field is recorded in a digital picture and stored by CCD camera as the carrier of information on the displacement of the tested surface. The calculated values were obtained for each pair of adjacent patterns and the changes in speckle contrast as a function of time were obtained from six repeated measurements. The speckle contrasts obtained from the bottom surface with 100 mW cm(-1) were smaller than those than the other power densities. The higher power densities provided the higher shrinkage.

Low-level laser on femoral growth plate in rats

OBJETIVO: Determinar a influência do Laser Terapêutico de Baixa Potência sobre a placa de crescimento de ratos. MÉTODOS: Trinta ratos Wistar machos com 40 dias de idade foram divididos em dois grupos, G1 e G2. O grupo G1 foi submetido à irradiação com laser GaAlAs 830 nm, potência de saída de 40 mW, e densidade de energia de 10 J/cm2. A irradiação foi aplicada diariamente por um período máximo de 21 dias. O mesmo procedimento foi realizado no grupo G2, com a probe desativada. Cinco animais em cada grupo foram sacrificados nos dias 7, 14 e 21 e submetidas à análise histomorfométrica. RESULTADOS: em ambos os grupos, o disco fisário esteve radiograficamente visível em todos os momentos nas incidências craniocaudal e médio-lateral. No 21º dia a porcentagem de comprimento longitudinal do fêmur foi maior em G1 que em G2 em relação ao valor basal, e o número de condrócitos da zona hipertrófica foi maior em G1 que em G2. A zona de cartilagem calcificada estava maior em G1 em relação a G2 em todos os momentos de avaliação. A angiogênese foi maior em G1 que em G2 nos 14º e 21º dias. CONCLUSÃO: A terapia com laser terapêutico de baixa potência influenciou negativamente o disco fisário distal do fêmur de ratos.

Effect of GaAlAs Laser Irradiation on the Epiphyseal Cartilage of Rats

Objective: To study the effect of an 830-nm gallium-aluminum-arsenic (GaAlAs) diode laser at two different energy densities (5 and 15 J/cm(2)) on the epiphyseal cartilage of rats by evaluating bone length and the number of chondrocytes and thickness of each zone of the epiphyseal cartilage. Background Data: Few studies have been conducted on the effects of low-level laser therapy on the epiphyseal cartilage at different irradiation doses. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 male Wistar rats with 23 days of age and weighing 90 g on average were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (CG, no stimulation), G5 group (energy density, 5 J/cm(2)), and G15 group (energy density, 15 J/cm(2)). Laser treatment sessions were administered every other day for a total of 10 sessions. The animals were killed 24 h after the last treatment session. Histological slides of the epiphyseal cartilage were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), photographed with a Zeiss photomicroscope, and subjected to histometric and histological analyses. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test. All statistical tests were performed at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Histological analysis and x-ray radiographs revealed an increase in thickness of the epiphyseal cartilage and in the number of chondrocytes in the G5 and G15 groups. Conclusion: The 830-nm GaAlAs diode laser, within the parameters used in this study, induced changes in the thickness of the epiphyseal cartilage and increased the number of chondrocytes, but this was not sufficient to induce changes in bone length.

Root surface treatment using diode laser in delayed tooth replantation: radiographic and histomorphometric analyses in rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Calcitonin on Bone Repair in Castrated Rats: A Densitometric Study

Objective: To investigate the healing of bone defects in male rats treated with salmon calcitonin, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), or both. Background: Healing of bone defects still represents a challenge to health professionals in several areas. In this article, the effect of calcitonin in combination with LLLT on bone repair was studied. Densitometry was used as a valuable tool for the measurement of bone regeneration. Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats underwent bilateral castration surgery before the creation of a surgical bone defect. The animals were randomly divided into four groups: control, treated with calcitonin (Ca), treated with LLLT (La), and treated with calcitonin and LLLT (CaLa). Groups Ca and CaLa received 2 IU/kg of synthetic salmon calcitonin intra-muscularly three times a week. Groups La and CaLa received laser therapy using a gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser (10mW, 20 J/cm(2), wavelength 830 nm). Control animals were submitted to sham irradiation. The animals were sacrificed 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery, and bone defects were analyzed using densitometry. Results: The CaLa group had a higher degree of bone regeneration 14 and 21 days after surgery. Conclusions: The La and CaLa had significantly higher bone mineral density than the control and Ca groups.

Low-Level Laser Therapy and Calcitonin in Bone Repair: Densitometric Analysis

The aim of this work was to evaluate the association of low-level laser therapy (LLLT, 830 nm) and calcitonin in bone repair considering that bone healing remains a challenge to health professionals. Calcitonin has antiosteoclastic action and LLLT is a treatment that uses low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes to alter cellular function. Both are used to improve bone healing. Densitometry is a clinical noninvasive valuable tool used to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD). Sixty male rats were submitted to bone defect with a trephine bur, randomly divided into four groups of 15 animals each: control (C); synthetic salmon calcitonin (Ca); LLLT (La); LLLT combined with calcitonin (LaCa). Animals from Ca and LaCa received 2UI/Kg synthetic salmon calcitonin intramuscularly on alternate days after surgery. Animals from groups La and LaCa were treated with infrared LLLT (830 nm, 10mW, 20 J/cm(2), 6 s, contact mode). Five animals from each group were euthanized 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery and bone defects were analyzed by densitometry. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in BMD values in LaCa group at 7 and 21 days (P = 0, 005). The results of the densitometric study showed that LLLT (830 nm) combined with calcitonin improved bone repair.

Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, laser therapy and LED therapy on the masticatory system and the impact on sleep variables in cerebral palsy patients: a randomized, five arms clinical trial

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Assessment of the effectiveness of light-emitting diode and diode laser hybrid light sources to intensify dental bleaching treatment

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of the color change of hybrid light-emitting diode (LED) and low-intensity infrared diode laser devices for activating dental bleaching and to verify the occurrence of a color regression with time. Material and methods. A total of 180 specimens obtained from human premolars were immersed in a coffee solution for 15 days for darkening and then divided into eight experimental groups (n = 20 in each) as follows: G1, bleaching without light; G2, bleaching with halogen light; G3, bleaching with a blue LED (1000 mW/470 nm) and a laser device (120 mW/795 nm) simultaneously; G4, bleaching with an LED emitting blue light (1000 mW/470 nm); G5, bleaching with a blue LED (800 mW/470 nm) and a laser device (500 mW/830 nm) simultaneously; G6, bleaching with a blue LED device (800 mW); G7, bleaching with a green LED (600 mW/530 nm) and a laser device (120 mW/795 nm) simultaneously; and G8, bleaching with a green LED (600 mW). Three measurements were performed (at baseline and 14 days and 12 months after bleaching) using a Vita Easyshade spectrophotometer. The data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and a Tukey test. Results. All groups showed significantly higher Delta E values than Group G1, with the exception of Group G8. Variations in the Delta E values at 14 days were significant when compared with those obtained at baseline and after 12 months. Conclusions. Light activation of the bleaching gel provided faster and more intense bleaching than use of the bleaching gel without light activation. Combinations of low-intensity diode lasers are ineffective as a bleaching gel activator. Color regression was observed after 12 months of storage.

The Effectiveness of Low-Intensity Red Laser for Activating a Bleaching Gel and Its Effect in Temperature of the Bleaching Gel and the Dental Pulp

Statement of the Problem: The effectiveness of low-intensity red laser for activating a bleaching gel and its effect in pulp temperature was not investigated in dental literature. Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of low-intensity red laser for activating a bleaching gel, as well as its effect in temperature of the bleaching gel and the dental pulp. Materials and Methods: Forty extracted bovine teeth were immersed in a solution of coffee 14 days for darkening. The initial colors were recorded by spectrophotometric analysis. The specimens were randomly distributed into two groups (N = 20): the control, which did not receive light and the experimental group that received light from an appliance fitted with three red light-emitting laser diodes (? = 660 nm). A green-colored, 35% H2O2based bleaching gel was applied for 30 minutes, and changed three times. After bleaching, the colors were again measured to obtain the L*a*b* values. Color variation was calculated (?E) and the data submitted to the non-paired t-test (5%). To assess temperature, 10 human incisors were prepared, in which one thermocouple was placed on the bleaching gel applied on the surface of the teeth and another inside the pulp chamber. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.016), and the experimental group presented a significantly higher mean variation (7.21 +/- 2.76) in comparison with the control group (5.37 +/- 1.76). There was an increase in pulp temperature, but it was not sufficient to cause damage to the pulp. Conclusion: Bleaching gel activation with low-intensity red laser was capable of increasing the effectiveness of bleaching treatment and did not increase pulp temperature to levels deleterious to the pulp. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The application of a low-intensity red laser was effective for activating a bleaching gel with green dye, without any deleterious increases in pulpal temperature. (J Esthet Restor Dent 24:126134, 2012)

Production of defects in ZBLAN, ZBLAN : Tm3+ and ZBLAN : Cr3+ glasses by ultra-short pulses laser interaction

In this work we have studied pure and thulium- and chromium-doped ZBLAN glasses irradiated by ultra-short laser pulses. A Ti:sapphire CPA system was used, producing a 500 Hz train of pulses, centered at 830 nm, with 375 mu J of energy and 50 fs of duration (FWHM). The beam was focused by a 20 Him lens, producing a converging beam with a waist of 12 pin. The absorption spectra before and after laser irradiation were obtained showing production of color centers in pure, thulium-doped and chromium-doped ZBLAN glasses. A damage threshold of 9.56 TW/cm(2) was determined for ZBLAN. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A histologic assessment of the influence of low-intensity laser therapy on wound healing in steroid-treated animals

Objective: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of low-intensity laser therapy on the wound healing process treated with steroid. Background Data: Various biological effects have been associated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Materials and Methods: Forty-eight rats were used, and after execution of a wound on the dorsal region of each animal, they were divided into 4 groups (n = 12), receiving the following treatments: G1 (control), wounds and animals received no treatment; G2, wounds were treated with LLLT; G3, animals received an intraperitoneal injection of steroid dosage (2 mg/kg of body weight); G4, animals received steroid and wounds were treated with LLLT. The laser emission device used was a GaAIAs (904 nm), in a contact mode, with 2.75 mW gated with 2.900 Hz during 120 sec (33 J/cm(2)). After the period of 3, 7, and 14 days, the animals were sacrificed and the parts sent to histological processing and dyed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson trichromium (MT) techniques. Results: the results have shown that the wounds treated with steroid had a delay in healing, while LLLT accelerated the wound healing process. Also, wounds treated with laser in the animals treated with steroid presented a differentiated healing process with a larger collagen deposition and also a decrease in both the inflamatory infiltrated and the delay on the wound healing process. Conclusion: LLLT accelerated healing, caused by the steroid, acting as a biostimulative coadjutant agent, balancing the undesirable effects of cortisone (in the tissue healing process.

Spectroscopic study of ejected dental tissue after Er : YAG laser ablation

By means of IR spectroscopy, we determined the teeth ablation mechanism by an Er:YAG laser oscillating at 2.94 mum. Ejected dental material, ablated by the laser from human teeth, was deposited on an IR window and the absorption spectra were measured in the range 2500-20,000 nm. Sound teeth were used, and the corresponding film spectra were compared to spectra obtained by traditional methods. The films spectra obtained do not differ appreciably from those obtained by the traditional method for sound teeth, indicating that the material ejected by an Er:YAG represents the tooth condition.The obtained results confirm that a spectroscopic analysis of a tooth treated with an Er:YAG laser can be done measuring the absorbance of a film composed of ejected material without the need to slice it. In addition, we could determine that the laser absorption occurs mainly by the interstitial water, and the temperature elevation of the ejected material does not exceed 60degreesC. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Sensitized thulium blue upconversion emission in Nd3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ triply doped lead and cadmium germanate glass excited around 800 nm

Bright blue upconversion emission by thulium ions in PbGeO3-PbF2-CdF2 glass triply doped with Nd3+-Tm3+-Yb3+ under diode laser excitation around 800 nm is reported. The results revealed that the Nd3+/Tm3+/Yb3+-codoped sample generated ten times more 475 nm blue upconversion fluorescence than the Yb3+-sensitized Tm3+-doped one, under the same excitation power. The upconversion process also showed a strong dependence upon the Yb3+ concentration. The results also indicated that the neodymium ions played a major role in the upconversion process by transfering the 800 nm excitation to thulium ions. The population of the Tm3+ ions (1)G(4) emitting level was accomplished through a multiion interaction involving ground-state absorption of pump photons around 800 nm by the Nd3+(I-4(9/2)-->H-2(9/2), F-4(5/2)) and Tm3+(H-3(6)-->F-3(4)) ions followed by energy-transfer processes involving the Nd3+-Yb3+(F-4(3/2), F-2(7/2)-->I-4(11/2), F-2(5/2)) and Yb3+-Tm3+(F-2(5/2), F-3(4)-->F-2(7/2), (1)G(4)) pairs. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.

Temperature investigation of infrared-to-visible frequency upconversion in erbium-doped tellurite glasses excited at 1540 nm

Temperature investigation of infrared-to-visible frequency upconversion in erbium-doped tellurite glasses excited by CW laser radiation at 1540 nm and under cryogenic temperatures is reported. Intense upconversion emission signals around 530, 550 and 660 nm corresponding to the H-2(11/2), S-4(3/2), and F-4(9/2) transitions to the I-4(15/2) ground state were generated and studied as a function of the laser intensity and temperature. The upconversion excitation mechanism of the Er3+ ions emitting energy levels was accomplished via stepwise multiphoton absorption. The green upconversion luminescence exhibited a fivefold intensity enhancement when the temperature of the sample was varied in the range between 5 and 300 K. A maximum green upconversion intensity was attained around 120 K and a steady decreasing behavior for higher temperatures up to 300 K was observed. A model based upon conventional rate equations was used to model the observed temperature evolution of the upconversion luminescence. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Energy transfer between Tm3+ and Er3+ ions in a TeO2-based glass pumped at diode laser wavelength

In this paper we investigate the energy transfer processes in TM3+/Er3+ doped telluride glass pumped at the commercial diode laser pump wavelength similar to 800 nm. Tailoring the rare-earths content in the glass matrix, seven main energy transfer channels within the doping range considered were identified, A 6-fold enhancement of the Er3+ visible frequency upconversion fluorescence at similar to 660 nm is observed due to the inclusion of Tm3+ ions. This is evidence of the relevant contribution of the route Er-1(I-4(11/2)) + Er-2(I-4(13/2)) -> Er-1(I-4(15/2)) + Er-2(F-4(9/2)) to the process. Energy migration among pumped I-4(9/2) level reducing the efficiency of the upconversion emission rate (H-3(11/2), S-4(3/2), and F-4(9/2)) is observed for Er3+ above 1.5 wt%. The rate equations regarding the observed energy transfer routes are determined and a qualitative analysis of the observed processes is reported. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.