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What is the laser and how does it work?
The laser is an instrument that emits a narrow beam of light at high energy.
When the light beam comes in contact with tissue, it causes a reaction: the laser beam can vaporize, cut or shape the tissue.
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Is the laser used in Dentistry?
Yes, lasers have been used in Dentistry since 1990.
In the United States, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that controls and approves drugs, materials and technologies determined and established that the laser can be used as a valid, efficacious and safe method of treatment in Dentistry.
Lasers can be used alone but are often utilized in combination with other dental instruments.
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How are lasers used in Dentistry?
Diverse types of lasers are used in Dentistry that can be distinguished by the different wavelengths that are absorbed differently by different tissues (tooth, gingiva, blood):
there is no single laser that can do everything!
Some lasers (Diode laser or Neodimium YAG) can work only on soft tissue (gingiva or mucosa) while others are more versatile (Erbium laser, the so-called water laser) and can work on both soft and hard tissue (tooth and bone).
Dental lasers are used to:
 remove caries from deciduous or permanent teeth, preparing the tooth for a correct filling.
correct
problems of phonation caused by a short lingual frenum.
remove
lingual frenula that can cause orthodontic or paradontal problems (gingival recession).
uncover
partially erupted wisdom teeth that cause recurrent abscesses (pericoronitis).
redesign
the gingival contours for problems of aesthetics.
eliminate
the inflamed tissue from gingival pockets and reduce the level of bacterial contamination.
treat
abscesses in need of urgent attention.
decontaminate
infected canals in endodontic treatment.
perform
oral surgery procedures.
activate and accelerate the whitening process during cosmetic dentistry treatments.
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What are the advantages and benefits of using the laser?
The benefits are numerous:
The Dentist can substitute
completely the use of the much-feared drill
with the water laser, the Erbium laser, eliminating or reducing the use of anesthesia and providing the patient with a more comfortable treatment.
The laser can save teeth that are very decayed, by avoiding devitalization thanks to the technique of laser assisted pulp capping, that has a very high success rate compared to traditional therapies.
The laser greatly minimizes symptoms and shortens the postoperative recovery, as it reduces the number of bacteria present in the dental and gingival tissues.
In dental surgery, the laser allows good bleeding control and, for this reason, is the preferred instrument
for some procedures (fibroma, epulids, angioma). |
Are lasers safe?
If the laser is used by a trained dentist following the correct safety measures, it is an extremely safe instrument! In fact, it is considered safer than traditional instruments for treating children due to the selectivity of its use on the tooth (protecting the tongue and the mucosa from accidental trauma).
Protective eyewear must always be worn!
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