A study on the morphological changes of the rat mandibular bone with TEA CO2 laser.

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological changes of the bone structure induced by transversely excited, atmospheric TEA pressure CO2 laser irradiation. Moreover, the healing process at 3 weeks was also observed. Summary Background Data: It has been demonstrated that dental hard tissue can be removed by a long pulse of TEA CO2 laser irradiation with minimal thermal damage. However, there are few studies on the morphological changes of the TEA CO2 laser on bone tissue. Methods: The TEA CO2 laser was irradiated on the surface of the rat mandibular bone under the following irradiation conditions: wavelength, 10.6 μm; output, 95 mJ/pulse; pulse repetition rate, 1 Hz; irradiation time, 7.5 μsec/shot; spot size, 0.8 × 1.5 mm; energy density, 7.9 J/cm2. Histological and scanning electron microscopic examinations were performed. Results: In the stereoscopic examination, a defect with clean-cut margins was produced. In the light microscopic examination, a basophilic line at...