LASERS (It is an Acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)They have had multiple applications in a variety of fields and have evolved to have a role in dentistry too.
Lasers are focused beams of light energy, and they have the ability to make swift, efficient changes to teeth and gums, with little or no post-operative pain or swelling. Not surprisingly, laser treatment is rapidly replacing more traditional methods in the dental office, including the scalpel, the needle and the dental drill. In 1987 FDA (Food And Drug Administration) of USA approved a prototype of Laser to study on dental patients.
The Diode Laser enables the dentist to make changes to the gingiva with amazing precision, allowing the removal of soft tissue as small as a few microns. This allows the dentist to create a more natural look than ever before. Lasers are available for a range of uses in dentistry , they are expensive an require special safety precautions.
Lasers are focused beams of light energy, and they have the ability to make swift, efficient changes to teeth and gums, with little or no post-operative pain or swelling. Not surprisingly, laser treatment is rapidly replacing more traditional methods in the dental office, including the scalpel, the needle and the dental drill. In 1987 FDA (Food And Drug Administration) of USA approved a prototype of Laser to study on dental patients.
- Types of Lasers Different lasers and conditions are used for
hard tissues. Since and elevation of more than 5.5 degree centigrade in
pulpal temperature causes irreversible damage to the pulp chamber
tissues.
- Hard lasers - work principally by thermal effect.
- Carbon Dioxide laser - principal role as a cutting beam which seals vessels as it cuts.
- Argon laser - It is used for vascular and pigmented lesions. It improves the efficiency of the curing process.
- Neodymium - Yttrium aluminium garnet ( Nd - Yag ) laser- ongmally a hard laser but now available as soft dental laser
- Soft Lasers
- Helium - Neon - has no cutting effect but...seems to act photochemically on cells.
- Nd - Yag mainly for use in dentistry and supposedly increase cell turnover, decrease inflammatory response, inhibits oedema, increase rate of cell regeneration, eg. peripheral neurons, and decrease wound sccarring.
| Application | Preparation |
| Soft Tissue | Gingivectomy Frenectomy Curettage Crown Lengthening Lesion Removal Gingival Hyperplasia Coagulation |
| Hard Tissue | Caries Removal Cavity Preparation Fissure Sealing Enamel Etching |
| Non-Surgical | Curing light-activated materials (Composites) Sterilzation of instruments |
The Diode Laser enables the dentist to make changes to the gingiva with amazing precision, allowing the removal of soft tissue as small as a few microns. This allows the dentist to create a more natural look than ever before. Lasers are available for a range of uses in dentistry , they are expensive an require special safety precautions.
