Transient FEM calculation of the spatial heat distribution in hard dental tissue during and after IR laser ablation

3D model calculation on the basis of Finite Elements were carried out to simulate the heat distribution under IR laser ablation. The physical constant of dentin were used for heat capacity, heat conductivity etc. Already for a single pulse the results show the temperature distribution at various times after the laser pulse as well as the temperature gradient and the mechanical stress. The time resolution of a single pulse into 80 equal time step showed the heat deposition during the laser pulse Even more exciting data were obtained for pulse trains. It is clearly obvious that after 10 pulses the system reached a dynamical equilibrium. The amount of heat left over in the tissue by the previous pulse away by the following pulse by removing heated tissue.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.