Effects of carbon dioxide lasers on preventing caries: A literature review

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to review the effects of carbon dioxide lasers (λ = 10,600 nm) on preventing dental caries.

Methods: A systematic search was performed of articles published in English through 2018 and archived in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The keywords used to identify the relevant publications were ((CO2laser) OR (carbon dioxide laser)) AND ((dental caries) OR (tooth remineralization)). The titles and abstracts of the initially identified publications were screened. Duplicate records, case reports, reviews, and irrelevant studies were removed. Full texts that focus on the effects of carbon dioxide lasers on preventing dental caries were retrieved from publications.

Results: The search identified 543 potentially relevant publications. A total of 285 duplicate records were removed. Twenty-two articles investigating the effect of carbon dioxide lasers on enamel and dentin were included. Results of the studies showed that carbon dioxide lasers could cause chemical and morphological changes to mineralized tissues, including reduction of carbonate content and recrystallization of mineral structure. All studies showed that carbon dioxide lasers increased the microhardness and decreased the mineral loss of enamel (nine studies) and dentin (three studies). Two out of eight studies showed increased resistance to demineralization of enamel after carbon dioxide laser and fluoride treatment. All studies revealed that carbon dioxide laser and fluoride treatment reduced mineral loss of dentin against acid challenge.

Conclusions: Carbon dioxide (10,600 nm) lasers can prevent demineralization of enamel and dentin. Furthermore, they have a synergistic effect with fluoride in preventing dentin caries.