Numéro
J. Phys. Colloques
Volume 48, Numéro C7, Décembre 1987
1st International Laser M2P Conference
Page(s) C7-279 - C7-282
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/jphyscol:1987762
1st International Laser M2P Conference

J. Phys. Colloques 48 (1987) C7-279-C7-282

DOI: 10.1051/jphyscol:1987762

ABSORPTION COEFFICIENTS OF DENTAL ENAMEL AT CO2 LASER WAVELENGTHS

G. DUPLAIN1, R. BOULAY1, P.A. BELANGER2, S. SMITH3 and P. SIMARD3

1  Institut National d'Optique, C.P. 9970, Sainte-Foy, G1V 4C5, (Québec), Canada
2  Laboratoire de Recherches en Optique et Laser (LROL), Département de Physique, Université Laval, Québec, G1K 7P4, (Québec), Canada
3  Ecole de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, Québec G1K 7P4, (Québec), Canada


Abstract
Optical properties of dental enamel at CO2 laser wavelengths have been determined using reflectance method. A strong wavelength dependence of the absorption coefficients was observed in the spectral region which corresponds to a well known absroption band of hydroxyapatite, the main constituent of dental enamel.