Laser dentistry review

Abstract

Laser Dentistry is one of the youngest medical disciplines to turn its attention to the laser. Preliminary pioneering in the field by Leon Goldman who began investigating the impact of lasers on teeth back in the early sixties. Among the things he looked at were the effect of laser beam impacts on teeth (1), fusing fillings and amalgams, laser destruction of calculus and tartar, removal of caries, used pulsed and Q-switched ruby, neodymium, carbon dioxide and argon lasers, and developed a method of localization of the laser impact to reduce the risk of reactions of the laser energy with adjacent tissue (2). He stated then “…that a significant portion of the laser laboratory should be devoted to the field of laser dentistry. Unlike many dentists, we feel that this is a profitable area for research, especially in the treatment of caries and perhaps even of calculus.” Dr. Goldman was also among the first to warn us about safety in the application of dental procedures.Laser Dentistry is one of the youngest medical disciplines to turn its attention to the laser. Preliminary pioneering in the field by Leon Goldman who began investigating the impact of lasers on teeth back in the early sixties. Among the things he looked at were the effect of laser beam impacts on teeth (1), fusing fillings and amalgams, laser destruction of calculus and tartar, removal of caries, used pulsed and Q-switched ruby, neodymium, carbon dioxide and argon lasers, and developed a method of localization of the laser impact to reduce the risk of reactions of the laser energy with adjacent tissue (2). He stated then “…that a significant portion of the laser laboratory should be devoted to the field of laser dentistry. Unlike many dentists, we feel that this is a profitable area for research, especially in the treatment of caries and perhaps even of calculus.” Dr. Goldman was also among the first to warn us about safety in the application of dental procedures.