Purpose: To compare the debonding time of IPS e.max CAD lithium disilicate glass-ceramic veneers in different thickness and transparency using Er:YAG laser, and evaluate the effect of Er:YAG laser on the surface topography of the veneers and the underlying tooth.
Methods: A total of twelve maxillary first premolar teeth were collected and prepared, then veneers were made by computer aided design and computer aided manufacture(CAD/CAM) system. The veneers were divided into four groups according to different thicknesses and transparency: e.max HT with 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm thickness, e.max LT with 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm thickness. Three veneers of each group were cemented to prepared premolar with resin cement and then stored in normal saline solution at room temperature for 7 days. All veneers were debonded with Er:YAG laser and the debonding time of all-ceramic veneers of all groups was recorded. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) observation was performed to detect the surface topography of the veneers and the underlying tooth. SPSS 19.0 software package was used for statistical analysis.
Results: The debonding time of 1.0 mm-thick groups were longer than 0.5 mm-thick groups. When the veneer thickness was 0.5 mm, the average debonding time of e.max LT group was longer than e.max HT. Consistent with the finding of 0.5 mm, the longer debonding time was found in the e.max LT group of 1.0mm. No cracks and crater structure were found in SEM observation of veneers after Er:YAG laser irradiation. Teeth surface was covered with bonding cement with no signs of ablation or damage of the enamel.
Conclusions: Er:YAG laser can completely debond lithium disilicate glass-ceramic veneers, and the debonding time depends on the transparency and thickness of the veneers. The lower translucent porcelain veneers (e.max LT) and thicker ones (1.0 mm-thick) had a longer debonding time. Moreover, Er:YAG laser does not damage the morphology and topography of the veneer and the teeth surface.