Authors:
R. Apsari
Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Airlangga University, 60115 Surabaya, Indonesia

Noriah Bidin
Aminatun Suhariningsih
Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Airlangga University, 60115 Surabaya, Indonesia

Sri Hartati
Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, 55281 Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Anita Yuliati
Department of Dental Material, Faculty of Dentistry, Airlangga University, 60131 Surabaya, Indonesia

M. Yasin
Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Airlangga University, 60115 Surabaya, Indonesia

S. W. Harun
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ablation of healthy human enamel is demonstrated using a 8 ns pulses at wavelength of 1064 nm and 10Hz repetition rate from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The ablation result shows that an enhanced structuring quality in comparison with non-Q-switched pulse exposure. The material removal remains localized in the area of the laser spot with no signs of collateral damage and cracks observed. As a comparison, exposure to longer pulses of 120 μs from non-Q-switched Nd:YAG laser increases the composition of hydroxyapatite as well as microhardness property of enamel, which produces a side effect of surface dehydration and crack. This study suggests that the application of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser as contactless drills in dentistry should be regarded as an alternative to the classical mechanical technique to improve the quality of the tooth treatment.