Lasers in prosthodontics - An overview part 1: Fundamentals of dental lasers

The introduction of lasers in the field of prosthodontics has replaced many conventional surgical and technical procedures and is beginning to replace the dental handpiece. Although lasers were introduced in dentistry as early as the 1960s it has gained widespread popularity mainly in the developed countries only from the early 90s. Today, prosthodontists can select from a variety of laser wavelengths available in dentistry. This has led to great confusion regarding laser operation and selection of the most appropriate laser wavelength for a given procedure. This article reviews literature on lasers with the aim of providing a complete understanding of the fundamentals of lasers and their applications in the various disciplines of prosthodontics. Peer reviewed literature published in English language between 1991 and 2007 obtained using Medline, and hand searches is reviewed in a series of three articles: Part 1 will describe the fundamentals of laser science, laser tissue interaction, laser wavelengths available in dentistry, laser parameters and safety measures in brief to enable the clinician to select the best laser for a certain procedure and also understand the biologic rationale for its use. Part 2 will deal in brief with the applications of lasers in the various branches of prosthodontics and their advantages over conventional techniques. Part 3 will deal with lasers in prosthodontics from an Indian perspective.