Studies & Cases
The benefits of lasers in dentistry
Abstract
Aim: The goal of endodontic research is to report interventions, techniques or protocols that are most likely to deliver the outcomes that are of most interest to both clinicians and patients. The development of a double-wavelength laser delivered concomitantly and through the same radial firing tip (RFT) may provide a unique combination of beneficial properties that may clinically surpass all previously reported laser-assisted protocols.
The aim is to present a rational literature overview that could support the adoption of simultaneous use 2780 and 940 nm wavelengths for smear layer removal and disinfection respectively.
To date, mechanical therapy has been the main-stream treatment for plaque-induced periodontal disease. However, complete eradication of bacteria and/or optimal wound healing may not necessarily be achieved with conventional mechanical therapy alone.
Therefore, chemotherapy using antimicrobial agents as an adjunct to mechanical therapy has been advocated to increase bacterial eradication as well as to enhance wound healing/tissue regeneration following debridement.
Rana Al-Falaki; Private Practice
The current periodontal literature has been inconsistent in finding an added advantage to using lasers in non-surgical periodontal therapy. Some, on the other hand, have found it to be both an effective monotherapy and an advantageous adjunct to root surface debridement.
The aim of this study was to compare treatment outcomes following root surface instrumentation alone (NL group), or with adjunctive use of Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser (L group).
Rana Al-Falaki, Francis J Hughes, Mark Cronshaw
Materials and methods: Implants diagnosed with peri-implantitis and having at least one 5mm pocket around them were included into the study. In total 28 implants consisting of 68 sites >4mm were treated non-surgically with an Er,Cr:YSGG water-cooled laser, using a 14mm, 500um diameter, radial firing tips (Biolase). Probing depths, recession and bleeding on probing were recorded at baseline, after 2 months, 6 months and 1 year.
Purpose: In general clinical practice, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is frequently required to treat patients on
anticoagulant therapy. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature in order to provide evidence-based
guidelines for the management of anticoagulated patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Materials and Methods: Literature published over the past 40 years was reviewed. The management of patients
on anticoagulant therapy as well as laser-assisted oral and maxillofacial surgery is discussed.
