title: Applications of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (Lasers) for Restorative Dentistry.
abstract: Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (laser) has been used widely in a range of biomedical and dental applications in recent years. In the field of restorative dentistry, various kinds of lasers have been developed for diagnostic (e.g. caries detection) and operative applications (e.g. tooth ablation, cavity preparation, restorations, bleaching). The main benefits for laser applications are patient comfort, pain relief and better results for specific applications. Major concerns for using dental lasers frequently are high cost, need for specialized training and sensitivity of the technique, thereby compromising its usefulness particularly in developing countries. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate and summarize the applications of lasers in restorative dentistry, including a comparison of the applications of lasers for major restorative dental procedures and conventional clinical approaches. A remarkable increase in the use of lasers for dental application is expected in the near future.
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Shariq
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Najeeb
authors.forename: Zohaib
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khurshid
authors.forename: Muhammad Sohail
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Zafar
authors.forename: Syed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ajlal
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003188:Composite Resins; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D017266:Dental Prosthesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004708:Endodontics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014073:Tooth Bleaching / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; C029012:Composite Dental Resin; D003188:Composite Resins; D011140:Polyurethanes