Fundamentals of dental lasers: science and instruments

Laser irradiation has numerous favorable characteristics, such as ablation or vaporization, hemostasis, biostimulation (photobiomodulation) and microbial inhibition and destruction, which induce various beneficial therapeutic effects and biological responses. Therefore, the use of lasers is considered effective and suitable for treating a variety of inflammatory and infectious oral conditions. The CO2 , neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) and diode lasers have mainly been used for periodontal soft-tissue management. With development of the erbium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) and erbium, chromium-doped yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) lasers, which can be applied not only on soft tissues but also on dental hard tissues, the application of lasers dramatically expanded from periodontal soft-tissue management to hard-tissue treatment. Currently, various periodontal tissues (such as gingiva, tooth roots and bone tissue), as well as titanium implant surfaces, can be treated with lasers, and a variety of dental laser systems are being employed for the management of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. In periodontics, mechanical therapy has conventionally been the mainstream of treatment; however, complete bacterial eradication and/or optimal wound healing may not be necessarily achieved with conventional mechanical therapy alone. Consequently, in addition to chemotherapy consisting of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents, phototherapy using lasers and light-emitting diodes has been gradually integrated with mechanical therapy to enhance subsequent wound healing by achieving thorough debridement, decontamination and tissue stimulation. With increasing evidence of benefits, therapies with low- and high-level lasers play an important role in wound healing/tissue regeneration in the treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. This article discusses the outcomes of laser therapy in soft-tissue management, periodontal nonsurgical and surgical treatment, osseous surgery and peri-implant treatment, focusing on postoperative wound healing of periodontal and peri-implant tissues, based on scientific evidence from currently available basic and clinical studies, as well as on case reports.

Periodontal and peri‐implant wound healing following laser therapy

https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/1047403/file/1047432.pdf

EPR dosimetry with tooth enamel: A review

Objective: The aim of this clinical study was to observe and evaluate the surgical management efficiency of soft tissues during orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven young pati...

Nd:YAG and diode laser in the surgical management of soft tissues related to orthodontic treatment.

Use of therapeutic laser after surgical removal of impacted lower third molars.

Several studies have shown that gingivitis is common in children and adolescents. Introduction of orthodontic devices may exacerbate the gingival inflammation. Orthodontically induced gingival hyperplasia in adolescents, its etiology, and treatment alternatives are discussed. Three instances in which laser therapy was used are described.

Laser treatment of orthodontically induced gingival hyperplasia.

https://www.dental.theclinics.com/article/S0011-8532(04)00084-9/pdf

The biologic rationale for the use of lasers in dentistry.

Lasers in clinical dentistry

Since lasers first were introduced to general dentistry in 1990, the FDA has approved the use of seven different wavelengths. These wavelengths serve different functions in the oral cavity and create a world of difference in how the lasers operate. This article details the five wavelengths currently available and evaluates their ability to perform dental procedures.

An overview of lasers in dentistry.

While lasers have been in use for medical purposes since the 1970s, they were not specifically designed for dental applications until 1989. After providing an overview of laser fundamentals relevant to their field, Coluzzi (preventive and restorative dental sciences, U. of California, San Francisco) and Convissar (laser dentistry, New York Hospital

Robert A. Convissar

Papers

Laser treatment of orthodontically induced gingival hyperplasia.

The biologic rationale for the use of lasers in dentistry.

Lasers in clinical dentistry

An overview of lasers in dentistry.

Atlas of Laser Applications in Dentistry