Air Quality in a Dental Clinic during Er:YAG Laser Usage for Cavity Preparation on Human Teeth—An Ex-Vivo Study

Angeliki Karveli, Ioannis G. Tzoutzas, Panagiotis Ioannis Raptis, Emmanouil-George C. Tzanakakis, Eleftherios Terry R. Farmakis and Constantinos G. Helmis
Additional contact information
Angeliki Karveli: Private Practice, 12134 Athens, Greece
Ioannis G. Tzoutzas: Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Panagiotis Ioannis Raptis: Department of Physics, University of Athens, and National Observatory, 11527 Athens, Greece
Emmanouil-George C. Tzanakakis: Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Eleftherios Terry R. Farmakis: Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Constantinos G. Helmis: Division of Applied Physics, Department of Physics, University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: Chemical air pollution in dental clinics consists of the emission of gases and particulate matter (PM), both generated by dental equipment and tooth tissues. One basic application of Erbium Laser devices is cavity preparation on human teeth due to its strong affinity to water and hydroxyapatite. The objective of this study was the evaluation of indoor air quality during the application of an Er:YAG laser, as a dentin removal instrument, in a Dental Clinic. Particulate Matter (PM) was measured using the standard method of EN legislation. In order to measure total Volatile Organic compounds (VOCs), a portable monitor was used. In the first experiment, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were increased by approximately 10 and 15 times, respectively. From the second experiment it can be concluded that neither of the measured particle concentrations exceeded the recommended indoor limit values while windows were open, although laser influence was still detectable. Within the limitations applied herein, it was found that Er:YAG laser activity for hard dental tissue removal was associated with high PM and TVOCs concentration values in the working environment, under insufficient or no ventilation. Physical ventilation in the aforementioned setting proved to be an important key factor in improving air quality, as both PM and TVOCs concentrations decreased significantly.

Keywords: minimally invasive dentistry; laser; Er:YAG; air quality; Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); particulate matter; PM10; PM2.5; working environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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