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Laser (Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation) was introduced to dentistry in 1960 by Miaman. Ever since its introduction, it has been used for various soft and hard tissue applications such as caries prevention, restorative removal, soft tissue treatment, cavity preparation, wound healing, and photodynamic therapy.
After this technology was introduced to dentistry in the 1960s, research teams have worked on various applications of laser technology in dental practice. Today, laser technology is being used by dentists to remove tooth decay, reshape gums to prevent gum disease, and teeth whitening procedures.
Types of laser in dentistry
Dentists use different lasers for hard tissue and soft tissue. Each type has its own limitations. Below, you can learn more about different types of lasers being used in dental practice.
Carbon Dioxide Laser
The CO2 laser is used for soft tissue procedures. It can quickly remove soft tissue by absorbing water at an extremely high rate.
The CO2 laser posses the highest absorbance rate among all lasers being used in dentistry.
It has a large size and it’s extremely costly. It can also destroy hard tissue while operating on soft tissue.
Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd: YAG) Laser
The Nd: YAG laser is known for its ability to cut through dental soft tissue, which can be extremely handy during various surgical dental applications.
Various research teams have also shown that this laser can be effectively used for non-surgical procedures such as sulcular debridement in periodontal disease control and LANAP.
Erbium Laser
Erbium lasers are both hard and soft tissue lasers.
Er: YAG and Er, Cr: YSGG lasers belong to the erbium family. These lasers have a high absorption of water. As a result, it’s often the laser of choice when a procedure requires treatment of hard tissue.
This laser is also used for certain soft tissue procedures such as ablation.
Diode Laser
The diode laser is a cold laser that uses a solid-state semiconductor made of aluminum or gallium. Sometimes, it could be made of arsenide or indium.
This laser has the ability to produce wavelengths ranging from 810nm to 980nm.
Diode laser and other cold lasers are poorly absorbed by water present in the enamel. However, they have a high affinity for tissue pigment present in melanin.
Diode lasers are used in various dental procedures such as soft tissue crown lengthening, gingival recontouring, and removal of inflamed tissue.
Lasers can be used to treat root canal infections and gum disease. It is used in biopsies and gum reshaping procedures. They can be used for removing sensitive tissue and exposing wisdom teeth. Similarly, dentists often use lasers for removing benign oral tumors and regenerated damaged nerves.
Here are some of the most common applications of lasers in dentistry.
Tooth Decay
Lasers can be useful in case of tooth decay. Your dentist can use laser technology to prepare the surrounding enamel before filling it after removal of decay.
In addition, lasers can be used to simply harden the composite filling.
Biopsy
Lasers can help you, dental surgeon, remove a small piece of your dental tissue to be sent for biopsy.
In addition, your dentist may choose to use a laser to remove lesions in the mouth. This can be effective when the patient is in severe pain due to canker sores.
Gum disease
Lasers have been used for decades to reshape gums. They are also useful for removing bacteria from a pocket – needed during root canal procedures.
Cavity detection
Dentists have been using laser technology to detect cavities at an early stage. It can save many complications and prevent tooth extraction.
A low-intensity soft tissue dental laser can help to read the by-products of tooth decay.
Dental filling and tooth preparation
Hard tissue lasers are an effective alternative to traditional dental drilling. They can also eliminate the need for a local anesthetic injection.
Lasers can also be used during dental filling procedures to kill the bacteria that are often located inside a cavity. This can help with long-term tooth restoration and prevent tooth removal due to decay.
Other applications
Here are some more applications of lasers in dentistry.
Lasers have their disadvantages and limitations but they have many dental uses. The future of laser technology in dentistry is bright. Please ask your dentist if laser treatment can be used in your situation. You should also check your insurance plan before you chose an expensive laser treatment.
Laser technology has come a long way in the last two decades. Today, many dental procedures use this technology for precision, speed, and convenience.
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