title: Laser-induced fluorescence for subgingival calculus detection: scientific rational and clinical application in periodontology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the data available on the laser-induced calculus fluorescence phenomenon and the calculus detection devices as well as to determine the clinical relevance of using commercialized calculus detection devices in periodontal treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro or in vivo English publications found on Medline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vitro and in vivo studies showed that the devices on the market had a satisfactory detection capacity. Very few studies demonstrated that the erbium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser debridement, when performed with automatic calculus detection, could lead to improvements at the clinical level, and the outcome was similar to that obtained with conventional treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although preliminary data were encouraging, there was a lack of scientific data concerning the calculus detection devices. Therefore, future studies are crucial for determining the clinical relevance of such equipment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Surgery, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Zahi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Badran
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Demoersman
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Struillou
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boutigny
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Assem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soueidan
mesh_terms: D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers