ABSTRACT
Laser irradiation has numerous favorable characteristics, such as ablation or vaporization, hemostasis, biostimulation (photobiomodulation) and microbial inhibition and destruction, which induce various beneficial therapeutic effects and biological responses. Therefore, the use of lasers is considered effective and suitable for treating a variety of inflammatory and infectious oral conditions. The CO2 , neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) and diode lasers have mainly been used for periodontal soft-tissue management. With development of the erbium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) and erbium, chromium-doped yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) lasers, which can be applied not only on soft tissues but also on dental hard tissues, the application of lasers dramatically expanded from periodontal soft-tissue management to hard-tissue treatment. Currently, various periodontal tissues (such as gingiva, tooth roots and bone tissue), as well as titanium implant surfaces, can be treated with lasers, and a variety of dental laser systems are being employed for the management of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. In periodontics, mechanical therapy has conventionally been the mainstream of treatment; however, complete bacterial eradication and/or optimal wound healing may not be necessarily achieved with conventional mechanical therapy alone. Consequently, in addition to chemotherapy consisting of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents, phototherapy using lasers and light-emitting diodes has been gradually integrated with mechanical therapy to enhance subsequent wound healing by achieving thorough debridement, decontamination and tissue stimulation. With increasing evidence of benefits, therapies with low- and high-level lasers play an important role in wound healing/tissue regeneration in the treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. This article discusses the outcomes of laser therapy in soft-tissue management, periodontal nonsurgical and surgical treatment, osseous surgery and peri-implant treatment, focusing on postoperative wound healing of periodontal and peri-implant tissues, based on scientific evidence from currently available basic and clinical studies, as well as on case reports.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections/radiotherapy , Low-Level Light Therapy/methods , Periodontal Diseases/radiotherapy , Wound Healing/radiation effects , Animals , Clinical Trials as Topic , Humans , Peri-Implantitis/microbiology , Peri-Implantitis/radiotherapy , Periodontal Diseases/microbiology , Regeneration/radiation effects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
For many intraoral soft-tissue surgical procedures the laser has become a desirable and dependable alternative to traditional scalpel surgery. However, the use of dental lasers in periodontal therapy is controversial. This article presents the current peer-reviewed evidence on the use of dental lasers for the treatment of chronic periodontitis.
Subject(s)
Chronic Periodontitis/surgery , Laser Therapy , Chronic Periodontitis/drug therapy , Gingiva/injuries , Humans , Laser Therapy/adverse effects , Lasers, Gas/therapeutic use , Lasers, Semiconductor/therapeutic use , Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use , Photochemotherapy , Radio WavesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether gender, age, and initial tooth hue impacted the effect of laser tooth whitening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-one subjects were enrolled in a laser tooth whitening study at Kaohsiung Medical University. Sensitivity was evaluated by asking the patients about any tooth sensitivity they experienced after the whitening procedures were performed. The LaserSmile tooth whitener, containing 35% hydrogen peroxide, was applied to the tooth surfaces of both arches from the central incisor to the second premolar, and the LaserSmile Twilite diode laser was applied to the same maxillary and mandibular teeth. After removal of the whitening gel, shade matching was immediately performed with the ShadeEye NCC Dental Chroma Meter. Patients were classified into the following groups: tetracycline stain, gender, age, and initial tooth hue. Only 5 of the 91 individuals had tetracycline staining. RESULTS: The initial tooth shade and the amount of shade change showed no significant differences between female and male patients, but a significant difference was found between hue and age group. CONCLUSIONS: Teeth with hue A showed greater shade improvement than teeth with hue C and hue D. Whitening response was better in younger individuals, and gender was not a factor that affected the whitening response. Sensitivity is common during the whitening procedure but can be tolerated by the patients.
Subject(s)
Lasers , Tooth Bleaching/methods , Tooth Discoloration/therapy , Adult , Age Factors , Dentin Sensitivity/etiology , Female , Humans , Hydrogen Peroxide/adverse effects , Hydrogen Peroxide/therapeutic use , Male , Middle Aged , Oxidants/adverse effects , Oxidants/therapeutic use , Patient Satisfaction , Sex Factors , Tooth Bleaching/adverse effects , Tooth Bleaching/instrumentation , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
The use of lasers in dentistry has expanded and improved some treatment options for those clinicians who have adopted the technology. As with all dental materials and instruments, the practitioner must use clinical experience, receive proper training, become very familiar with the operating manual, and proceed within the scope of his or her practice. The potential purchaser should carefully analyze the style and type of the practice to decide how useful the device could be. Moreover, attending introductory courses, seminars, and presentations, such as those at the aforementioned Academy of Laser Dentistry's Annual Conference, or at various state and national scientific sessions, are essential before buying. Because of the varied composition of human tissue and the differing ways that laser energy is absorbed, there is no single perfect laser. However, our patients continue to agree that the dental laser is a wonderful instrument.
Subject(s)
Dentistry, Operative , Laser Therapy , Lasers , Clinical Competence , Dentistry, Operative/economics , Dentistry, Operative/education , Education, Dental, Continuing , Equipment Design , Equipment Safety , Humans , Laser Therapy/economics , Lasers/classification , Marketing of Health Services , Practice Patterns, Dentists'ABSTRACT
This article describes how laser instruments can be used for a variety of dental procedures. The fundamentals of laser physics and tissue interaction are explained and an overview of the different characteristics of individual instrument types is given. Some examples of clinical treatment cases are shown.
Subject(s)
Dental Instruments , Lasers , Equipment Design , Humans , Laser Therapy , Lasers/classification , Oral Surgical ProceduresABSTRACT
This article provides the reader with an understanding of the essential physical science of a laser device. Various dental tissues have unique interactions with laser light, and the principles of safe and effective use of this unique instrument are presented. Each wavelength's applications for treatment are outlined.
Subject(s)
Dental Equipment , Lasers , Equipment Design , Humans , Laser Therapy , Lasers/classification , Radiation Effects , ScienceABSTRACT
This article describes how certain dental laser instruments are used adjunctively in the initial phase of the treatment of periodontal disease. The author explains the fundamentals of laser science and tissue interaction and lists the steps of the clinical protocol. Examples of treated clinical cases are shown, and the safety and effectiveness of this instrumentation are discussed.
