Chapter 1 - Einstein’s “Splendid Light”: Origins and Dental Applications

Abstract

Inspiration for the invention of laser technology and its clinical use in medicine and dentistry can be traced from ancient human use of light for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Speculations about the nature of light published over the past millennium eventually led to development of the quantum theory of radiant energy in the early 20th century. Albert Einstein’s hypotheses concerning the absorption and emission of radiation provided the basis for subsequent laser development. His breakthrough concept of stimulated emission of radiation provided the pathway for the creation of devices that emitted coherent microwave radiation in the 1950s. These efforts prompted interest in creating an apparatus that produced coherent light emission, or laser (light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation). The competitive quest for building the first laser culminated in the elegant design of Theodore H. Maiman who successfully demonstrated laser emission on May 16, 1960. Other laser devices followed, and soon thereafter researchers began to investigate the possible applications of this new technology in medicine and dentistry. This chapter surveys some of the historical and current applications of lasers in ophthalmology, neurosurgery, urology, gynecology, gastroenterology, general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics, esthetics, dermatology, plastic surgery, otorhinolaryngology, oral surgery and dentistry, and veterinary medicine. Special emphasis is placed on intraoral use of lasers for soft and hard tissue, endodontic, dental materials, and photobiomodulation applications. Appendices summarize noteworthy US Food and Drug Administration marketing clearances for dental lasers, professional societies dedicated to the use of lasers in medicine and dentistry, and selected journals of interest to dental laser practitioners..