Background, aims: Since the development of the ruby laser by Maiman in 1960, a variety of papers on potential applications for lasers in dentistry have been published. The purpose of this paper is to summarise laser applications for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity. The effects of laser on pulp tissue and problems on laser treatment are also reviewed. This article reviews the role of lasers for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity since 1985, summarises many research reports from the last decade, and surmises what the future may hold for lasers in this treatment.
Method: To date, 4 kinds of lasers have been used for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity, and the effectiveness ranged from 5.2 to 100%, which was dependent on the laser type and parameters used. The mechanism involved in laser treatment of dentine hypersensitivity are relatively unknown.
Results: These require clarification to result in safely effective treatment optimization. In general, the efficiency for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity using lasers is higher than other methods, but in severe cases, it is less effective.
Conclusion: It is necessary to consider the severity of dentine hypersensitivity before laser use.
Irrigation with 17% EDTA, 6% phosphoric acid and 6% citric acid did not remove all the smear layer from the root-canal system. In addition, these acidic solutions demineralized the interbular dentine around tabular openings, which became enlarged. The CO2 laser was useful in removing and melting the smear layer on the instrumented root-canal walls and the Er:YAG laser was the most effective in removing the smear layer from the root-canal wall.
These results suggest that during the Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation, water spray directed at the ablation sites increases the ablation depths and water plays an important role as an initiator of the ablation of dental hard tissues.
The results suggested that there is little difference between the two types of lasers-Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers-morphologically for class V cavity preparation, because both lasers were capable of preparing class V cavities, and the morphological features of the irradiated surfaces were very similar.
Since the development of the ruby laser by Maiman in 1960 and the application of the laser for endodontics by Weichman in 1971, a variety of papers on potential applications for lasers in endodontics have been published. The purpose of this paper is to summarize laser applications in endodontics, including their use in pulp diagnosis, dentinal hypersensitivity, pulp capping and pulpotomy, sterilization of root canals, root canal shaping and obturation and apicectomy. The effects of laser on root canal walls and periodontal tissues are also reviewed. The essential question is whether a laser can provide equal or improved treatment over conventional care. Secondary issues include treatment duration and cost/benefit ratio. This article reviews the role of lasers in endodontics since the early 1970s, summarizes many research reports from the last decade, and surmises what the future may hold for lasers in endodontics. With the potential availability of many new laser wavelengths and modes, much interest is developing in this promising field.
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