الفهرس 
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Abstract
The aim of the current work was to evaluate the microhardness and morphological alterations occurring in enamel after diode laser treatment in order to examine the anti-cariogenic effect and to compare its results with the conventional methods using pit and fissure sealing material Sixty disease free recently extracted permanent molars and premolars were used. Teeth were sectioned bucco-lingually into two halves which were used in different groups. Teeth sections were divided into 6 groups each group contained 20 halves. Group 0; normal enamel, Group 1; immersed in artificial caries media, Group 2; subjected to diode laser irradiation, Group 3; subjected to diode laser irradiation and immersed in artificial caries media, Group 4; immersed in artificial caries media after treating occlusal pits and fissures with fissure sealant; Group 5; the same protocol as group 4 was used but before immersion, the specimens were irradiated with diode laser after curing. Specimens were examined with Enviromental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and microhardness measurement. Laser caused partial closures of the occlusal depressions as well as great resistance to caries (group 2, 3). Group 4 showed incomplete resorption of the enamel at the sealant enamel interface and compositional defects of the sealant material. Preservation of both sealant and enamel integrity was distinguished in group 5.