The use of lasers in dentistry: principles of operation and clinical applications

This article describes the principles of laser operation and the clinical application of laser technology in the different fields of dentistry. It discusses the use of the Er:YAG laser in restorative dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and periodontics, as well as the introduction of a new side-firing spiral tip for efficient cleaning of the root canal system by means of lateral laser irradiation. Although the Er:YAG laser is used mostly on enamel and dentin, the gingival depigmentation procedure using this laser also is described. Clinical applications of the CO2 and diode lasers on soft tissues, particularly in the fields of oral and maxillofacial surgery and perodontics, are explained. Because teeth whitening for esthetic reasons has gained increasing popularity in dentistry, the application of diode lasers for this purpose is discussed. All the dental laser procedures described in this article are conducted at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and are further investigated in various clinical research projects.