Lasers in Dentistry

Pp: 181-191 (11)

* (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Lasers in dentistry is a relatively new concept with unique advantages. Lasers are helpful in the treatment of hard and soft tissue of the oral cavity. The laser light is created by an external light source reflected by mirrors. The mirrors are placed around the active medium. The photons of light that reach the active medium activate more photons exponentially. This results in a large amount of laser energy that is highly focused and directional. This laser energy may be useful to cut or ablate. The mechanism is that this laser energy is absorbed by the tissue according to the penetration depth. A few real-life pictures are included at the end of the chapter for learning experience of the student. These are pre- and post-operative pictures of five interesting cases.

Keywords: Argon, Co2 , Diode, Emission, ErYag, Electromagnetic spectrum, Flexible fiberoptics, Invisible light, NaYag, Orbit, Optical cavity, Radiation, Rigid glass fibres, Scattering, Visible light.