title: Lasers in periodontology.
abstract: Since the development of the ruby laser by Maiman in 1960, lasers have been widely employed in medicine for a number of years. The purpose of this paper is to summarize potential applications for lasers in dentistry, with special regard to periodontology. This article briefly describes clinical applications of lasers and laser safety. Particularly, the use of a diode laser seems to be promising, especially in already compromised transplant patients, who need to be treated with a technique where the operative and post-operative blood loss, post-operative discomfort and the recurrence of drug-induced gingival overgrowth need to be kept to a minimum or eliminated. Therefore, the use of lasers in periodontology may lead to an alteration in present clinical practice and help to establish the best management strategy because, by maintaining periodontal health, the life quality of patients can be improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Newcastle upon Tyne School of Dental Sciences, Framlington Place NE2 4BW.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mavrogiannis
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thomason
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Seymour
mesh_terms: D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D003748:Dental Equipment; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010517:Periodontics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016745:Root Planing / Q000295:instrumentation; D013357:Subgingival Curettage / Q000295:instrumentation