Lasers in dentistry: an overview
Article Abstract:
The use of lasers is increasing in dentistry and medicine. Stimulation of a chamber of laser medium by an external power source results in the emission of a laser beam. A laser beam can used to cut, vaporize or coagulate different types of tissue. Soft lasers and hard lasers are the two categories of lasers used in dentistry and medicine. Soft lasers are used to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation, fluid collection and pain. Hard lasers are used to perform surgery. Different types of hard lasers have different effects on the same type of tissue. Hard lasers used for surgical procedures include carbon dioxide lasers, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers and argon lasers. Several other types of lasers are being evaluated for future use in dentistry. Lasers are mainly used in dentistry for soft tissue surgery and for photopolymerization of dental resin materials.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1993
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Lasers in dentistry: comparing wavelengths
Article Abstract:
The wavelength used to perform different types of laser surgery may affect the outcome significantly. The use of lasers in dentistry and medicine has been increasing since the early 1980s. Laser light is a form of electromagnetic energy that travels in a specific wavelength. This wavelength may occur somewhere between the ultraviolet and infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Some types of lasers such as argon lasers may produce two wavelengths. Laser light interacts with tissue in four different ways. This interaction may vary depending on the wavelength of the laser beam. The different types of lasers used in dentistry include carbon dioxide lasers, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers and argon lasers. Each of type of laser light has a different wavelength. This variation affects the type of procedure for which each of these lasers is used.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1993
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The effect of lasers on dental hard tissues
Article Abstract:
Lasers are used in dentistry to remove different types of infected dental hard tissue. Dental hard tissue includes both the hard outer portion of a tooth (dentin) and the dental pulp in the central cavity of a tooth. A study examined the effectiveness of three different types of lasers for the removal of diseased and healthy dental hard tissue. The erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser caused less damage to dentin than the carbon dioxide or neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers. The carbon dioxide and Nd:YAG lasers both disrupted dentin to cause a rippling effect. The rippling was probably the result of a thermal effect. The Er:YAG laser also caused less disruption of dental pulp than the carbon dioxide or Nd:YAG lasers.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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