Chapter 12 - Lasers in Restorative Dentistry

Abstract

Despite the advances in preventative dentistry, the primary occupation of the general dental practitioner remains the restoration of carious teeth. Together with the modification of tooth structure associated with cosmetic restorative procedures, caries restoration accounts for the dilemma of achieving diseased hard tissue removal while preserving healthy surrounding natural tooth tissue and pulp vitality. The need to cut dental hard tissue during restorative procedures presents a challenge to the ability to remove diseased carious tissue selectively and to maintain the integrity of supporting tooth tissue without structural weakening of the rest of the tooth. The additional requirement of preventing further breakdown in the restoration makes the choice of instrumentation and clinical technique of primary importance. The essentially patient-driven quest for an alternative treatment mechanism to replace the conventional high-speed, fear-provoking, anesthesia-requiring high-speed handpiece has led to the development of various mechanical and chemical approaches and devices, including lasers.