682 Reviews and Abstracts American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial OrthopedicsDecember 2001

A comparison of the effects of different wavelengths of argon laserirradiation on the solubility of humanenamel: an in vitro studyBradley F. Kendzior, DDS, MSDepartment of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, West Virginia Uni-versity, Morgantown

Decalcification around orthodontic appliances is an ongo-ing problem during orthodontic treatment. Argon laser irradia-tion has been shown to decrease the solubility of enamel. Theobjectives of this study were to (1) determine the length of timenecessary to create lesions of adequate depth, an intact surfacezone, and a distinct body of the lesion zone; (2) determine ifdifferent wavelengths of argon laser irradiation (457-501 nmand 457-514 nm) of nonpumiced and nonetched enamel pro-vide different levels of resistance to demineralization; and (3)determine if different wavelengths of argon laser irradiation(457-501 nm and 457-514 nm) of pumiced and etched enamelprovide different levels of resistance to demineralization. Timeperiods of 48 and 60 hours were investigated to determinewhich would produce the specified lesion criteria. The sampleswere suspended in Ten Cate solution for the appropriate timeperiods, thinned to 100 µm, and examined under polarizedlight microscopy. Results showed that an exposure time of 48hours to buffered acidic solution (Ten Cate) was adequate toproduce lesions according to the stated criteria. Two differentlasers were used to determine if wavelength made a differencein resistance of pumiced and etched enamel and nonpumicedand nonetched enamel to acidic attack. The lasers provided a457-501 nm wavelength and a 457-514 nm wavelength. Sam-ples were exposed to Ten Cate buffered acidic solution for 48hours, thinned, and examined under polarized microscopy. Theresults showed that different wavelengths of argon laser irradi-ation did not provide different levels of protection againstacidic attack to pumiced and etched enamel when comparedwith nonpumiced and nonetched enamel.

0889-5406/2001/$35.00 + 0 8/3/118936doi:10.1067/mod.2001.118936

The effectiveness of argon laser irradi-ation of pumiced and etched enamel ondecalcification during orthodontictreatment: an in vivo studyAnissa Monseau Anderson, DDS, MSDepartment of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, West Virginia Uni-versity, Morgantown

Enamel decalcification is a significant problem in ortho-dontic patients. Orthodontic appliances complicate theremoval of food debris and plaque. Decalcification is causedin part by dental plaque. Streptococcus mutans and Lacto-bacillus species levels increase in the oral cavity after the

placement of orthodontic appliances. The argon laser has beenshown to reduce decalcification during an acidic challenge invitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectsof argon laser irradiation on the decalcification of pumicedand etched enamel under banded teeth during orthodontictreatment in vivo.

Eight volunteers who planned to have 4 first-bicuspidextractions for orthodontic treatment were enrolled. Each ofthe participants’ 4 bicuspids was assigned to 1 of 4 groups.The treatment for group 1 (control) included placement of aspecially designed band that allowed for collecting plaque onthe facial surface of the tooth. The treatment for group 2(pumice-lase) included pumicing the teeth with fluoride-freepumice for 3 seconds, rinsing, drying, and lasing (325 mW, 5mm-diameter beam, 60 second exposure time). The speciallydesigned band was placed after treatment. The treatment forgroup 3 (pumice-etch-lase) involved pumicing as for group 2,acid etching for 30 seconds, rinsing, drying, and lasing asabove. The specially designed band was placed after treat-ment. The treatment for group 4 (lase only) included lasing asabove and placement of the specially designed band. Thebands remained in place for 5 weeks. After extraction, theteeth were sectioned and examined under polarized lightmicroscopy. Images of lesions were digitally analyzed andmeasured. Average lesion depths were calculated from 3 depthmeasurements recorded 10 µm apart. Average lesion area wascalculated with the aid of imaging analysis software. Statisti-cal analysis was performed with analysis of variance (P ≤ .05). Paired comparisons were made between the groupsin addition to maxillary and mandibular teeth and right-sideand left-side teeth.

Significant differences in lesion depth and area were foundbetween the 4 test groups. In the lase-only group, the averagelesion depths were reduced by 94.1%, and the average lesionarea was reduced by 94.4% when compared with the controlgroup. In the pumice-etch-lase group, the average lesiondepths were reduced by 89.1%, and the average lesion areawas reduced by 92.2% when compared with the control group.There were no significant differences between the maxillarymandibular teeth and the right-side and left-side teeth.

Argon laser irradiation is effective in reducing enameldecalcification during orthodontic treatment in vivo.

0889-5406/2001/$35.00 + 0 8/3/118935doi:10.1067/mod.2001.118935

ARTICLE REVIEWS

Patient satisfaction following orthognathic surgical correction of skeletal Class III malocclusionYan Heng Zhou, Urban Hägg, and A. Bakr M. Rabie

International Journal of Adult Orthodontics and OrthognathicSurgery 2001;16:99-107

This study was designed to assess the psychological andfunctional effects of orthognathic surgical correction on 140