By Kristine A. Hodsdon, RDH, MSEC
Director, RDH eVillage
Lasers are being used increasingly in periodontics, oral surgery, and other dental sub-specialties. Greatly improved understanding of how laser light interacts with biological tissue has enabled new and improved treatments and procedures. New laser technology has provided practitioners with versatile tools enabling treatments to be tailored according to the needs and constraints of specific clinical situations.
Just as importantly, lasers have come down in cost and are much more compact and reliable than earlier devices. As lasers become more prevalent, the need grows among clinicians, nurses, assistants, technicians, and administrators to learn the basics of this important technology.
--------------------------------------------------
Related articles
- New book released about basics of dental lasers
- Laser vs. electrosurgery for soft tissue cutting
- Ideal patient targeting to get all the patients you need
--------------------------------------------------
Lasers have gained acceptance over the last 20 years as a valuable tool for soft-tissue management in the oral cavity. Semiconductor diode lasers, pulsed Nd:YAG lasers, and carbon dioxide lasers are used for cutting and vaporizing soft tissue with good hemostasis. Diode lasers and pulsed Nd:YAG lasers are used with fiberoptic delivery accessories for pocket reduction.
At present, pulsed Er:YAG lasers are used on a more limited basis for hard-tissue applications on bone and teeth, but their appeal for hard-tissue cutting and drilling will likely grow as erbium lasers become more affordable. Blue-wavelength LEDs and diode lasers are used for dental curing and bleaching. The clinical benefits and advantages offered by such lasers will wax more compelling as laser prices continue to drop.
Basic Aspects of Medical and Dental Lasers provides five tutorial sections on the basic aspects of medical and dental lasers, laser delivery systems used in laser medicine and surgery, and how laser light interacts with biological tissue. One tutorial compares use of lasers with use of electrosurgery on soft tissue. Other sections provide tutorial or technical descriptions of the various lasers being used (or that have been used) in dentistry/oral surgery, including argon, carbon dioxide, holmium, semiconductor diode lasers and LEDs, erbium, and pulsed Nd:YAG lasers.
The author, Jeffrey G. Manni, is a laser scientist/engineer who helps clients develop laser-based products and applications. He specializes in lasers for biomedical and biotechnology instrumentation, laser microscopy, and laser-based displays.
Use of mathematics is kept to an absolute minimum, and the math is very simple. These tutorials are recommended reading by the Academy of Laser Dentistryfor dentists and hygienists preparing for their laser certification exams. See
In general, the book should be of interest to students at all levels (high school, college, medical/dental school), clinical and administrative medical professionals, and medical device marketing professionals wanting a basic introduction to medical and dental lasers and how they are used clinically.
Basic Aspects of Medical and Dental Lasers is priced at $49.50 in paperback and $29.95 in eBook format. It is available on Lulu.com.
