Fundamentals of Laser Dentistry

1. Basic Physics and Concepts of Lasers used in Dentistry

• Properties of Light
• Function of Laser Involving Optical Concepts

– Interaction Between Light and Matter
– Basic Scheme of a Laser
– Population Inversion
– Gaussian Beam and Laser Resonator
– Beam Delivery System
– Emission Modes

• Laser Tissue Interaction

– Effects of Temperature on Target Tissue

• Laser Media

– Gas Lasers
– Dye Lasers
– Semi-conductor—Diode Lasers
– Solid-state Lasers

• Pumping Methods and Schemes
• Laser Concepts

– Excimer Laser
– Dye Lasers
– Argon Ion Laser
– CO2

• Laser

– Semi-conductor Lasers/Diode Lasers
– Solid State Laser

2. Laser Safety

– Reasons for Laser Safety Education
– Maximum Permissible Exposure

• Classification of Light

– Wavelengths and their Penetration Depth
– Effect of Laser Beam on the Eye
– Impacts on Skin

• Laser Classes

– Class 1
– Class 1M
– Class 2
– Class 2M
– Class 3A
– Class 3B
– New Class 3R
– Class 4

• Secondary Hazards

– Common Hazards
– Specific Hazards

• Protective Measures

– Laser Protective Eyewear
– Labeling
– Directions

• Organizational Protective Arrangements

– Nomination of a Laser Safety Officer (LSO)
– Duties and Responsibilities of Laser Safety Officer

• Evaluation

3. Lasers in Preventive Dentistry

• Conventional Treatment Methods
• Laser Application in Preventive Dentistry

– Light Interaction with Dental Hard Tissues
– Scattering and Absorption Parameters

• Mechanism of Laser Irradiation and Improved Caries Resistance

– Changes in Enamel Composition
– Creation of Microsive or Micropore System

• Effect of CO2 Lasers on Caries Prevention

– Surface Characteristics
– Combined with Fluoride Treatment
– Clinical Application

• Effect of Argon Lasers

– Mechanism of Action

• Effect of Nd:YAG Lasers

– Combined with Fluoride Treatment
– Clinical Application

• Effect of Er:YAG, Er, Cr:YSGG, Ho:YAG and UV Lasers

4. Lasers in Operative Dentistry

– Development of the Laser-assisted Cavity Preparation

• Conventional Methods

– Rotary Instruments
– Kinetic Cavity Preparation—KCP
– Cavity Preparation Using Lasers

• Laser Supported Cavity Preparation

– Er: YAG and Er, Cr: YSGG Lasers
– Surface Characteristics of Laser-prepared Cavities
– Adhesion and Margin Seal of Laser Prepared Cavities

• Mechanisms of Ablation

– Mechanism of Absorption of Light in the 3 μm Range by Water
– Physical Factors Influencing Ablation Efficiency and Quality
– Criteria for Optimized Laser Systems in Hard Tissue Ablation

• Ablation with Low Collateral Damage

– Ablation by Ultrashort Laser Pulses – from Thermal Ablation to Plasma Mediated Ablation

• Other Types of Laser

– CO2

• Laser

– Nd:YAG Laser
– Ho:YAG Laser

• Practical Procedure in Laser-assisted Cavity Preparation

– Application of the Rubber Dam
– Display of the Cavity
– Removal of Caries
– Finishing and Restoration of the Cavity

• Choice of Parameters

5. Photo Polymerization

– Composition of Light Cured Filling Materials

• Photo Polymerization Reaction
• Laser Photo Polymerization versus Traditional Methods

– Improved Clinical Performance of Laser Cured Materials

• Factors Associated with Photo Polymerization
• Clinical Procedure of Photo Polymerization by an Argon Laser

6. Dentin Hypersensitivity

– Causes
– Theories of Dentin Hypersensitivity
– Natural Pulpal Defense Mechanisms

• Conventional Treatment Methods

– Common Agents

• Laser Application in Treating Dentin Hypersensitivity

– Lower Output Power Lasers

• CO2 Laser

– Direct Method
– Indirect Method

• Clinical Procedure

– Initial Diagnosis and Evaluation

7. Laser-assisted Cosmetic Dentistry

• Causes of Tooth Discoloration

– Extrinsic discolorations
– Several Kinds of Extrinsic Discolorations
– Intrinsic Discolorations
– Discolorations in the Formative Phase

• Treatment Options
• Bleaching

– Bleaching Mechanism of Teeth
– Conventional Bleaching

• Clinical Procedure of Laser-assisted Teeth Whitening

– Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
– Oral Prophylaxis and Application of Gingival Barrier
– Laser-assisted Crown Lengthening Procedure
– Laser-assisted Crown Lengthening Clinical Procedure
– Laser-assisted Gingival Depigmentation Procedure

8. Laser Application in Pediatric Dentistry

• Direct Pulp Capping

– Prerequisites for Direct Pulp Capping

• Procedures

– Conventional Pulp Capping
– Laser-assisted Pulp Capping
– Vitality Tests following Laser-assisted Pulp Capping

• Pulpotomy

– Introduction
– Laser-assisted Pulpotomy

• Soft Tissue Lasers Applications in Pediatric Dentistry
• Application of Lasers on Infantile Oral Soft Tissue Lesions

9. Laser in Endodontics

– Endodontic Problems

• Root Canal Sterilization

– Conventional Methods
– Limitations/Disadvantages of Rinsing Solutions
– Laser Supported Root Canal Sterilization

• Description of the Different Wavelengths

– Nd: YAG Laser
– Diode Laser
– Er: YAG and Er, Cr: YSGG Lasers

• Root Canal Preparation
• Apical Sealing
• Safety in Laser Treatment
• Indications
• Practical Procedure

– Access Cavity Preparation
– Root Canal Shaping
– Root Canal Filling

10. Laser-assisted Periodontal Therapy

• Etiology, Definitions and Pathogenesis

– Gingivitis—Periodontitis—Gingival Recession
– Plaque
– Periodonto Pathogenic Bacteria
– Histology

• Classification of Periodontal Diseases

– Gingivits
– Chronic Periodontitis
– Aggressive Periodontitis
– Necrotizing Periodontal Diseases

• Conventional Therapy

– Initial Therapy
– Corrective Phase or Surgical Corrective Measures
– Supporting Periodontal Therapy

• Laser Therapy

– Applied Lasers
– Impact of Different Lasers on Tissues
– Diode Laser
– Nd: YAG Laser

• CO2
• Laser

– Er: YAG Laser
– Frequency-doubled Alexandrite Laser

• Practical Procedure

– Initial Diagnosis and Evaluation
– Clinical Preparation
– Aim of Treatment
– Laser Therapy

• Investigations of the Laser Effects

11. Laser in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

– Specific Surgical Problems

• Conventional Therapy

– Scalpel
– Electrotomy

• Laser Therapy
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Laser-assisted Oral Surgery

– Advantages
– Disadvantages

• Techniques for Laser Use in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

– Incision and Excision
– Ablation and Vaporization
– Hemostasis Techniques

• Laser in Implant Dentistry

– Peri-implantitis

• Cosmetic Facial Laser Surgery
• Laser-assisted Routine Clinical Procedures

– Pericoronitis
– Frenectomy and Ankyloglossia
– Vestibuloplasty
– Recurrent Aphthous Ulcer Treatment

• Laser-assisted Biopsy

12. Laser as an Adjunct to Orthodontics

• Laser-assisted Bonding
• Laser-assisted Tooth Exposure

13. Low Level Laser Therapy

• Mechanism of Action
• Cellular Effects of LLLT during Wound Healing
• Effect of LLLT on Neural Tissues
• LLLT Applications in Clinical Dentistry

– Indications
– Factors Affecting the Efficacy of LLLT

• LLLT Equipment

– LLLT Devices

• Advantages and Disadvantages of LLLT

– Advantages of Low Level Laser Therapy
– Disadvantages of Soft Laser Therapy

14. Photo-activated Disinfection

• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

– Mechanism of Action of PAD

• Photosensitizers
• Indications of PAD Technique
• Lasers Used in PAD

15. Integrating Lasers into Your Practice: Practice Management

• Dental Office in 21st Century

– Dentist’s Team Vision
– Expectations of the Staff

• Establishing Fees for Laser Procedures
• Marketing Laser Dentistry

Bibliography

Index