Monomode hybrid longitudinal CO2 laser for material processing

A hybrid with small average power CO2 laser is presented. The laser might operate both in a continuous regime and in a pulsed one. The advantages of the good optical quality beam of a longitudinal discharge laser and of a high power peak pulse are simultaneously achieved. A high voltage capacitor which is switched on by means of a rotary spark gap sustains the pulsed regime. The commutation between the two regimes might be easily done and a hybrid operation is also obtainable. Glass surface treatment using this laser was performed. Fine polishment of the irradiated surface was achieved. The fine structure of the surfaces which were irradiated have been studied using atomic force microscopy

Clinical Evaluation of Sonic-Activated High Viscosity Bulk-Fill Nanohybrid Resin Composite Restorations in Class II Cavities: A Prospective Clinical Study up to 2 Years

This study evaluated the clinical performance of a bulk-fill resin composite in class II cavities for up to 2 years. Class II restorations (N=111) were made using a nanohybrid bulk-fill resin composite (SonicFill, Kerr Corp.) and evaluated following 1 week after placement, at 6 months, and thereafter annually up to 2 years using the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. The changes were analyzed using the McNemar test and the Kaplan-Meier method. No secondary caries was observed until the final recall. One restoration underwent endodontic treatment after 2 months following the restorative procedure and was deemed a failure. The overall success rate was 99.1%. Colour match deteriorated from a score of 0 to 1 in eight restorations from baseline to 6 months and six restorations showed marginal staining at final recall. Bulk-fill resin composite (SonicFill) showed acceptable clinical performance through 2 years of service but colour match to the tooth started to show some deterioration within the first 6 months