“Lasers in dentistry-A review ”

Dental lasers are becoming an integral part of contemporary cosmetic dentistry. They can artistically sculpt soft tissues while providing precision, increased visibility, improved impression techniques, predictable healing with decreased scarring, reduced anesthesia and postoperative swelling. With the addition of the hard-tissue laser, cosmetic bonding procedures are more predictable by providing enhanced bond strength, more comfortable by requiring little to no anesthesia, and less invasive via controlled removal of tooth structure. Dental laser technology has accumulated a wealth of scientific and clinical studies from decades of laser research. This articles reviews various historical developments, physics behind lasers, their properties, design, interaction with tissues, various types of lasers, with emphasis on laser application in dentistry. Hazards of lasers have been briefed, the possible and realistic future trends like use of Diagnodent for detection of hidden caries, use of waterlase dental lasers which eliminates high pitched whine noises, experimental application of biostimulation and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cancer has been illustrated in this article.