European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The Er:YAG laser was proven to ablate enamel successfully. This study was aimed to
investigate the applicability of using this laser in preparing the enamel surface for
porcelain laminate veneering in comparison with the high-speed handpiece regarding
the fracture strength loading of the veneers. Twenty human maxillary central incisors
extracted were selected. They were divided into two equal groups [group I and group
II], group I: High-speed handpiece prepared specimens and group II: Er:YAG laser
prepared specimens for measuring microleakage by a binocular stereomicroscope.
The microleakage assessment results showed a significant difference in the
microleakage scores at the incisal margins of [Gr. I (group I)] the high-speed
handpiece compared to [Gr. II (group II)] the Er: YAG laser and significance
comparing the microleakage scores at the cervical margins of both groups (Gr. I) and
(Gr .II). Also, there were significant differences comparing incisal to those at the
cervical margins of (Gr.I) the high-speed handpiece and while in (Gr.II) the Er:YAG
laser group, a marked significant difference were present between the microleakage
scores at the incisal margins compared to the cervical margins.