Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 202, 445 - 454 (2007)
Published online: 28 April 2007 | doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.294
Subject Category: Computers in dentistry
Surgical lasers and hard dental tissue
S. Parker1
- Lasers have been advocated to address the clinical preparation of restorative cavities and also the pain associated with conservative dentistry.
- All oral hard tissues can be ablated with laser energy.
- Precision, preservation of healthy tissue and control of temperature rise are hallmarks of correct laser use on hard tissue.
- The development of interceptive techniques to address early carious lesions may herald a more widespread use of lasers in restorative dentistry.
Lasers in dentistry
- Introduction, history of lasers and laser light production
- Laser-tissue interaction
- Low-level laser use in dentistry
- Lasers and soft tissue: 'loose' soft tissue surgery
- Lasers and soft tissue: 'fixed' soft tissue surgery
- Lasers and soft tissue: periodontal therapy
- Surgical laser use in implantology and endodontics
- Surgical lasers and hard dental tissue
- Laser regulation and safety in general dental practice
Abstract
The cutting of dental hard tissue during restorative procedures presents considerable demands on the ability to selectively remove diseased carious tissue, obtain outline and retention form and maintain the integrity of supporting tooth tissue without structural weakening. In addition, the requirement to preserve healthy tissue and prevent further breakdown of the restoration places the choice of instrumentation and clinical technique as prime factors for the dental surgeon. The quest for an alternative treatment modality to the conventional dental turbine has been, essentially, patient-driven and has led to the development of various mechanical and chemical devices. The review of the literature has endorsed the beneficial effects of current laser machines. However utopian, there is additional evidence to support the development of ultra-short (nano- and femto-second) pulsed lasers that are stable in use and commercially viable, to deliver more efficient hard tissue ablation with less risk of collateral thermal damage. This paper explores the interaction of laser energy with dental hard tissues and bone and the integration of current laser wavelengths into restorative and surgical dentistry.
- General Dental Practitioner, 30 East Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5LT
Correspondence to: S. Parker1 e-mail: thewholetooth@easynet.co.uk
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