Evaluation of Surface Roughness Produced By Orthophosphoric Acid And Er:Yag Laser

Aim: The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the changes in surface roughness of primary and permanent teeth following acid and laser application. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 teeth—40 permanent molars and 40 primary molars—were used in this study. The dentin surfaces were exposed using a separating disc. Primary teeth (Group I, Group II) and permanent teeth (Group III, Group IV) were each divided into two subgroups. Ortho-phosphoric acid was applied to Groups II and IV, while Er:YAG laser was applied to Groups I and III. The initial (Ra0) and post-treatment (Ra1) surface roughness values of each specimen were measured using a profilometer. Results: The Ra1 values of all groups (Group I: 7.63 ± 2.01 [7.31]; Group II: 3.17 ± 1.81 [2.89]; Group III: 6.37 ± 1.24 [6.14]; Group IV: 3.52 ± 1.98 [3.08]) were higher than their respective Ra0 values (Group I: 1.57 ± 1.16 [1.23]; Group II: 1.77 ± 1.24 [1.52]; Group III: 2.49 ± 2.14 [1.50]; Group IV: 2.01 ± 1.44 [1.40]). The change in surface roughness was greater in Group I (6.06 ± 1.91 [5.70]) compared to Group II (1.40 ± 1.47 [0.81]), and greater in Group III (3.88 ± 1.70 [4.11]) compared to Group IV (1.52 ± 1.52 [0.96]). Conclusion: In both primary and permanent teeth, laser application resulted in greater changes in surface roughness compared with acid application.