Overview of Laser Applications in Dentistry

1. Overview of laser

Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) was first invented in 1960 by Theodore Maiman. Laser was introduced into the field of clinical dentistry in the hope of overcoming some disadvantages of conventional treatment methods. The use of lasers in dentistry has increased rapidly in the past few decades.

Today, minimally invasive dentistry is an inevitable trend and will increasingly develop. Therefore, the application of lasers in treatment is increasingly developing. The following article will provide an overview of the applications of lasers in modern dentistry.

2. Advantages, disadvantages:

• Advantages: Laser is a very potential method in treating both hard and soft tissues, especially in soft tissue procedures with the following outstanding advantages:

– Some procedures performed using soft tissue dental lasers may not require sutures

– Reduced or eliminated need for local anesthesia

– Minimizes bleeding as the high-energy light beam supports the clotting process of exposed blood vessels.

– Reduces the risk of infection due to high-energy beams contributing to the sterilization of the treatment area.

– Minimal trauma to surrounding tissues

- Promotes healing and stimulates tissue regeneration.

• Disadvantages of using lasers in dental treatment:

– Eye protection must be provided for the patient and surrounding people during treatment.

– Laser is difficult to remove infected tooth tissue in large cavities, proximal cavities, and cannot remove old fillings

– Cannot be used to grind teeth in cases of making crowns, bridges, or inlays, onlays.

3. Applications of soft tissue laser:

Different wavelengths are used for different procedures. Procedures that can utilize soft tissue lasers include:

3.1. In surgery:

+ Hemostasis

+ Decontamination of peri-implantitis

+ Abscess treatment

+ Gummy smile treatment: gingivoplasty, gingivectomy

+ Frenectomy (lip tie, tongue tie): laser is an ideal option due to minimal trauma and good hemostasis

+ Periodontal pocket debridement

+ Operculectomy (removal of operculum)

+ Exposure of impacted teeth

+ Wound healing

+ Soft tissue biopsy

+ Gingival depigmentation:

+ Removal of gingival and fibrous epulis: Dental lasers can be used for painless and sutureless removal of benign lesions on the gums, palate, cheeks, and lips.

3.2. In treatment:

+ Endodontic treatment: root canal disinfection

+ Dentin hypersensitivity treatment

+ Treatment of aphthous ulcers (canker sores): Low-level dental lasers reduce pain associated with ulcers and shorten healing time.

+ Pain relief from infection

+ Necrotic tissue debridement

+ Clinical crown lengthening

+ Teeth whitening: Low-level soft tissue dental lasers can be used to accelerate the whitening process

+ Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatment: Dental lasers can quickly reduce pain and inflammation of the TMJ.

4. Applications of lasers in hard tissue treatment:

– Cavity preparation/filling: Hard tissue dental lasers can limit the use of anesthesia and traditional drills. The laser used in the filling process is capable of killing bacteria located in the cavity, helping to improve long-term tooth restoration. In addition, by changing the wavelength, energy, and focal length, the laser selectively removes deep tissue, only affecting the damaged dentin. Furthermore, creating cavity preparations with a laser does not cause unpleasant noise like traditional drills, making patients comfortable and eliminating fear in sensitive individuals.

– Treatment of dentin sensitivity: Dentin sensitivity causing pain is one of the most common symptoms in dentistry. In the past, fluoride was used to seal exposed dentin tubules to treat this condition. However, the use of lasers is more effective and longer lasting than other methods in reducing pain.

– Clinical crown lengthening with alveolar bone resection

– Minimal traumatic spinal cord injury, etc.

5. The Future of Dental Lasers

The widespread application of lasers in dentistry reduces treatment time in the dental chair, increases treatment effectiveness, and achieves comfort during treatment. Dental lasers can help dentists access any part of the tooth, replacing the need for traditional dental drills. This can help alleviate the fear and anxiety that many people experience when visiting the dentist.