Dental laser basics
The use of a diode laser in periodontics
Lasers are ubiquitous in the medical field, used routinely in ophthalmology (eye care), plastic surgery, ear, nose, throat and gynecological surgery. In dentistry the soft tissue diode laser is specifically used in periodontics (gum treatment).
Lasers have been shown in many studies to be bactericidal instruments. Since periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, the removal of the bacterial micro-organisms would restore the tissue to health. Toxins that these bacteria emit are destroyed by laser energy. Laser assisted scaling and root planning (cleaning) has been shown to reduce pockets and restore the oral cavity top health.
Lasers can be used to clean and sterilize any surgical site. Procedures that used to require anesthesia, scalpels and sutures can now be performed bloodlessly, since lasers coagulate and cauterize ("seal" the wound) as they cut. The possibility of infections are more remote with lasers than with cold steel. Gingival (gum) tissue that has overgrown due to certain medications can be treated easily and without trauma using a soft tissue laser.
A summary of the benefits of laser use in periodontal therapies:
- Lasers create a clear, dry field with no bleeding
- Lasers decrease the possibility of infection
- Lasers create less trauma to the area
- Lasers have shown less post-operative swelling and scaring
- Lasers have shown to create minimal post-operative pain
- Laser use is extremely precise and allows a greater great degree of finesse in surgical and soft tissue procedures
- Laser procedures require less anesthetic
- Laser therapy results in better post-operative patient experiences
- The patients display a high acceptance of laser procedures
Diode lasers
The active medium of the diode laser is a semi-conductor P-N junction made in a GaAlAs crystal. A flexible fibre is used to transmit the laser energy to the surgical site. It works best on soft tissues and can cut very precisely with little or no collateral damage depending on the settings used during the surgery.
The diode laser many times can be used without anaesthesia doing very precise anterior aesthetic surgery without causing bleeding or discomfort. It is the best laser for that purpose.
The 980 nm wavelength
Compact, portable, and reliable, 980 nm diode lasers are ideal for soft tissue procedures since the wavelength is well absorbed in both water and hemoglobin. As one of the only dental lasers to operate optically (using laser light), the 980 nm laser provides steady ablation and excellent hemostasis.
|
