Laser Drill: Applications & Health Benefits

Most patients are reluctant to go to the dentist, as visits to the office are often associated with pain and the unpleasant noise of the mechanical dental drill. In contrast, laser drills (dental lasers) operate quietly and do not cause annoying vibrations. Laser technology used in dentistry is more precise and often faster than commonly used dental instruments. However, it is not suitable for all medical applications.

What is a laser drill?

The laser drill (dental laser) is a dental instrument that was originally used only for root canal and periodontal treatment. Technological optimizations led to the fact that today the device has quite a wide range of applications. One of the main applications of dental lasers is the treatment of caries: With the help of laser beams, so much energy is sent to the carious area that it is ultimately blasted away. The focused beam of light can be directed so precisely that no healthy tissue is destroyed. Unlike the normal dental drill, the light does not touch the tooth surface. Therefore, there is no unpleasant feeling of heat on the tooth. Vibrations are also not felt. Dental lasers are often combined with diagnostic lasers. In this way, the removal of undamaged tooth substance can be avoided. Since the laser light can damage the eyes, the dentist and patient wear protective goggles during treatment.

Shapes, types and types

Because the laser drill allows pinpoint accuracy, it is good for smaller defects on the tooth. Different lasers are used for different types of treatments. There are erbium-YAG, Er,Cr:YSGG, Nd:YAG, gas (CO2), diode and multi-wavelength lasers. CO2 lasers are most commonly used for dental treatments. They direct the focused light through an optical fiber or mirror articulated arm to the area to be treated. This type of laser is suitable for all types of incisions. Since multi-wavelength lasers work with two different wavelengths, their field of application is wider than that of the other types of lasers. In addition, each type of laser differs in terms of lightwave frequency and wattage. Dental lasers enable single-pulse, percussion, trepanation and helical drilling. In single-pulse drilling, the laser beam is briefly directed only once to the area in question and drills a conical hole no more than 2 mm deep. With percussion drilling, one and the same spot is shot several times with one pulse. Percussion drilling leaves deeper holes. In trepanation, the laser pulse rotates and drills the deepest holes. The initial hole breaks up the tooth surface. The second drilling widens the hole by creating overlaps of 50 to 80% to the surrounding enamel or tissue. Helical drilling allows the enamel to be removed in a spiral pattern.

Structure and mode of operation

The laser drill consists of an electronic control unit, a control device on which the dentist adjusts pulses and duration of emission, and the laser head. The emitted laser light has only a single wavelength. The emitted waves are rectified. Depending on the wavelength of the laser drill type, different interactions occur with the tissue to be treated. When the focused light hits the carious area of the tooth, the beam ionizes the damaged tooth substance and vaporizes it without leaving any residue. During the blasting process, due to the pressure difference between the tooth environment and the place of impact on the tooth, there are small audible explosions, which, however, are usually not perceived as disturbing by the patient. The laser light is absorbed by the water present in the tooth, vaporizes and blasts away tiny amounts of ionized tooth substance (plasma) in small pressure waves. Since the laser does not come into contact with the tooth, the patient does not feel any vibrations during treatment. However, the dental laser can only drill smaller holes. If the patient has larger caries damage, the dentist must use the normal, mechanical dental drill for this purpose.

Medical and health benefits

Laser treatment at the dentist offer many benefits to the patient. With the laser drill, hard-to-reach places can be treated precisely. Because of the shorter treatment time, nerve fibers are also spared. Dental treatment is largely painless. Due to the pinpoint accuracy, healthy tissue or undamaged tooth substance is not unnecessarily removed.When drilling, the carious area is disinfected at the same time with the help of the laser. Ceramic or plastic fillings adapt well to drill holes made with a laser drill. Since healthy tooth enamel reflects the laser light differently than diseased tooth enamel, the focused light can also be used in dental diagnostics to find tiny, hidden areas of caries. In dental surgery, the dental laser is used to remove skin growths, expose dental implants and disinfect wounds. In periodontitis treatment, it is used to kill bacteria present in tooth pockets. During root canal treatment, the dentist uses the laser drill to sterilize the root canal, eliminating the need for surgery at the root tip. Recent clinical studies have shown that the laser drill ensures nearly 100 percent freedom from bacteria, making it superior to conventional procedures in most cases (depending on the quality of the dentist). Because the light beam separates blood vessels during dental surgery, reseals them almost simultaneously, and immediately disinfects the small wound, cuts made with the dental laser are bloodless. Laser drills cause smaller cuts. The scars are almost invisible later. Wounds from laser drill treatments heal faster. In addition, infections are less likely to occur later. Dental lasers also achieve good results in the treatment of pain-sensitive teeth by closing the tubules at the sensitive necks of the teeth well. In the case of inflammation of the tissue near dental implants (peri-implantitis), the laser drill kills the pathogens present there.