Laser:
The laser works on the LANAP ( Laser Assisted-New Attachment Procedure ) which deals with all the periodontal issues. LANAP usually helps in regenerating the bone rather than resection. It also helps in the regeneration of bone and gum tissue reattachment and preserves the tissues.
There are two types of Dental Lasers, they are Hard Tissue Laser and Soft Tissue Laser.
Hard Tissue Lasers are used to detect caries, the fluorescent light tends to demonstrate good sensitivity and excellent productibility. It also gives good results in detecting residual caries.
Hard tissue laser helps in the removal of carious lesions and cavity preparation. It helps in avoiding thermal effects, collateral damage to the tooth structure or patient comfort as well. It also helps in preparing teeth for fillings.
Soft Tissue Lasers are used for curettage over the traditional way of scaling and root planing. Lengthening crowns, reshaping of gums for space, removal of folds in oral soft tissues and dealing with restricted tongue movement are some of the treatments done with Soft Tissue Lasers. Soft Tissue Lasers are usually diode lasers.
However, Canker sore and cold sore pain treatments, treating root canal infections, treating gum disease, removing gum inflammation, gum reshaping, biopsies, exposing wisdom teeth, removing throat tissue that causes sleep apnea, regenerating damaged nerves, and removing benign oral tumors are some of the treatments done with lasers.
Working of Lasers:
When the laser beam is projected on the affected which has high water intensity, because of the heat the affected area explodes and the laser beam kills all the microorganisms and sterilizes the teeth.
Benefits of Lasers:
- Lasers limit the bleeding in the patients suffering from gingivitis.
- The procedure is very precise as it concentrates only on a particular place.
- No cuts and no stitches.
- Easy and fast healing.
- Reduces and eliminates tooth loss.
- Reduced pain post-procedure.
- No anesthesia, no drilling
CO2, Nd: YAG, Diode laser and Er: YAG are some of the most used lasers in dentistry.
Modes of Lasers:
Basically, there are three modes of lasers such as:
Continuous mode, Gated Pulse mode, Free Running Pulse mode.
In Continuous mode, the emission of the laser is constantly in one power as the power is on.
In Gated Pulse mode, there is a periodic increase and decrease in the emission as there is a mechanical shutter present in the front.
In case, of Free Running Pulse mode, the rays are emitted in higher intensity for a few microseconds followed by a longer inactive gap.