title: [Lasers in dentistry 6. The soft laser].
abstract: A soft laser is a low-power laser emitting in the red and near-infrared part of the spectrum. Studies with cell cultures have shown that radiation from a soft laser, when used under proper conditions, promotes cell function and cell proliferation. However, wavelength and dose should be carefully adjusted to an optimum value: too low a dose does not work and neither does a high dose. The dose should be adjusted within an interval of about 10%. In a few animal studies a positive effect on wound healing has been demonstrated, although other studies did not show such an effect. Of the human studies done in the dental field, many do not meet scientific standards because there was no control group or the study was not double-blind. A few studies showed a positive effect but most did not. Perhaps the large variation in results may be explained by the required accuracy of adjustment of the dose, combined with the complicated processes that relate the incident dose to the dose to cells lying on or in tissue. More research, in particular studies in which the dose and wave length are varied systematically, are needed before responsible clinical use can be recommended.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena / Q000528:radiation effects; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003813:Dentistry / Q000379:methods; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects
vernacular_title: Lasers in de tandheelkunde, 6. De 'soft' laser.