Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The aim of this study was to compare surface structures of laser-irradiated dental hard tissues using confocal (CFM), atomic force (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The general potential of the AFM in analyzing laser-irradiated surfaces was determined in this context. Specimens of human enamel and dentin were irradiated using an 8.6 W Nd:YVO<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>laser with a pulse duration of 8 ps,<jats:italic>λ</jats:italic><jats:sub>Center</jats:sub>=1,064 nm, and a pulse repetition rate of 500 kHz. Surface topology of irradiated areas (1 mm<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>) was investigated using AFM, CFM, and SEM. Surface roughness<jats:italic>R</jats:italic><jats:sub><jats:italic>z</jats:italic></jats:sub>was measured only with the AFM and the CFM. For non-irradiated enamel and dentin surfaces, roughnesses for CFM and AFM are in the nanometer range. However, major differences in roughness were determined for laser-prepared surfaces. For enamel,<jats:italic>R</jats:italic><jats:sub><jats:italic>z</jats:italic></jats:sub>(CFM)=2.33<jats:italic>μ</jats:italic>m is much higher compared with<jats:italic>R</jats:italic><jats:sub><jats:italic>z</jats:italic></jats:sub>(AFM)=0.09<jats:italic>μ</jats:italic>m; in the case of dentin,<jats:italic>R</jats:italic><jats:sub><jats:italic>z</jats:italic></jats:sub>(CFM)=5.35<jats:italic>μ</jats:italic>m is also much higher compared with<jats:italic>R</jats:italic><jats:sub><jats:italic>z</jats:italic></jats:sub>(AFM)=0.093<jats:italic>μ</jats:italic>m. Information regarding structural properties of surfaces needs real dimensions, particularly for use in dentistry. In this respect, AFM technology provides no additional results that lead to a significant improvement.</jats:p>