title: The role of lasers in dentistry: present and future.
abstract: Lasers have been used for hard tissue cutting in dentistry for a number of years. The quality of the cavity preparation and the surface finish achievable is variable and is dependent on operating wavelength. The collateral damage, which may be produced at differing wavelengths, is quite marked. Lasers in current form are now able to remove tissue in bulk at a similar rate to conventional methods such as bur and turbine handpiece. Some lasers may, however, provide precision cutting, which may be developed further in the future. Alternative uses of laser light are potentially more beneficial in the shorter term. The use of diode lasers as a means of activating a photosensitizer to carry out photo-activated disinfection appears to be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials in Relation to Dentistry, St Bartholomew's and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Schuckert
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003748:Dental Equipment; D004871:Erbium; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D009354:Neodymium; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D012666:Semiconductors; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009354:Neodymium; D004871:Erbium