title: Lasers and pediatric dental care.
abstract: There are several types of lasers that will allow pediatric dentists to remove soft tissue (such as diode or Neodynium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers) or remove both hard and soft tissue (such as the Erbium:YAG laser), in addition to photobiostimulation or therapeutic lasers that produce their healing benefits without producing heat. Lasers allow pediatric dentists to provide optimal care without many of the fear factors that result from conventional dental techniques. Lasers are extremely safe and effective when the user has a proper understanding of laser physics. Using lasers for caries removal, bone removal, and soft tissue treatment can reduce postoperative discomfort and infection and make it possible for dentists to provide safe, simple treatments.
authors.affiliation: Academy of Laser Dentistry.
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kotlow
mesh_terms: D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016556:Crown Lengthening / Q000379:methods; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D005683:Gagging / Q000528:radiation effects; D005890:Gingivectomy / Q000379:methods; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008035:Lingual Frenum / Q000601:surgery; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D011672:Pulpotomy; D013283:Stomatitis, Herpetic / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000293:injuries; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery; D014313:Trismus / Q000532:radiotherapy; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000601:surgery