Microstructural characterization of laser sintered synthetic calcium phosphate-natural dentine interface for the restoration of enamel surface

Tooth sensitivity is a common occurrence and it is caused by acid induced erosion of enamel surface. In this investigation we report the results of calcium phosphate based minerals which are irradiated with lasers ex vivo for the analysis of photo activated densification of minerals. The photo-activation in these minerals may primarily arise from the absorption centres, namely OH - and rare-earth (RE) 3+ ion dopants (e.g. Er 3+ ions) incorporated during synthesis. The loss of hydroxyl group from mineral is characterized using the thermogravimetric technique. The microstructural changes under the conditions of continuous wave (CW) and pulsed laser irradiation are reported together with the measured temperature rise. The preliminary data on surface hardness of occluded dentine with photo-activated calcium phosphate minerals are also reported, for aiming an eventual hardness value of 3300 MPa which is known for natural enamels.