The word laser – Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation – is an abbreviation from the English language, which translated means “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation”. Lasers have been used successfully in medicine since the early sixties. A distinction is made between different types of lasers:
- Solid-state laser
- Gas laser
- Liquid laser
The classification of solid, gaseous and liquid refers to the material used in the lasers.Depending on the power level, there is a subdivision into soft lasers, which are used for biostimulation, medium and high power lasers.In periodontology, the laser can be successfully used in a variety of areas.
Lasers in periodontology
Periodontology deals with the tooth bed or periodontium. Inflammation of the tooth bed, periodontitis, is one of the most common causes of tooth loss. In periodontology, for example, lasers can be used to destroy the bacteria responsible for periodontitis because of their bactericidal (germicidal) properties. Other applications include:
- Calculus removal – targeted removal of tartar at the root.
- Surgical therapy – operations using lasers result in less bleeding; no need for stitches in minor procedures
- Pocket cleaning as part of periodontal treatment – killing the germs and bacteria in the gum pockets.
Only if the bacteria are destroyed and thus prevent the progression of periodontitis, the loss of teeth can be stopped. At the same time, it is inevitable to optimize the patient’s oral hygiene at home to be able to clean teeth and gum pockets as thoroughly as possible, thus depriving the bacteria of the breeding ground – plaque (dental plaque).
Calculus removal
Concrements are also called subgingival calculus, which is tartar located below the gums on the surface of the tooth root.They can no longer be removed by home oral hygiene. Using Er:YAG laser, it is possible to remove the calculus while decontaminating the root surfaces. At the same time, inflammatory granulation tissue is removed. This takes place within the framework of the so-called periodontal treatment.
Bacteria reduction during periodontal treatment
In a study, different laser systems were investigated with regard to the long-term success of combined periodontal therapy using scaling and root planing (root cleaning and smoothing) and laser. It was demonstrated that photodynamic therapy (PDT) and the diode laser in particular led to a long-term reduction in bacteria when used in conjunction with conventional scaling and root planing. Photodynamic therapy uses low-energy light in the milliwatt range. As a result, the hard and soft tissues in the oral cavity are not damaged.
Peri-implantitis treatment
Another area of laser application is peri-implantitis therapy. Peri-implantitis is a disease that can occur in implant recipients.It is similar to periodontitis of the natural tooth. Peri-implantitis is accompanied by inflammation and recession of mucosa – peri-implant mucositis – and bone – peri-implantitis – in the area of one or more implants and, if left untreated, will inevitably lead to the loss of the implant. Therefore, lasers are increasingly used to achieve decontamination of the implant surface and to stop peri-implant bone resorption. Some authors advocate additional ablation on the implant, i.e. smoothing and cleaning of the implant surface using laser light. Proponents of pure decontamination state that this makes osseointegration more difficult and perform manual implant cleaning prior to laser light application. Successes in peri-implantitis therapy have been achieved by decontamination using diode lasers and CO2 lasers.Er:YAG lasers are usually used for ablative decontamination. In the so-called non-contact procedure, concrements adhering to the implant surface are removed and the surface is decontaminated at the same time. Studies by Schwarz and Sculean have shown that no damage to the implant surface occurs if the specified maximum values are observed.
Benefit
Periodontitis leads to painful inflammation, tooth loss, and a loss of aesthetics due to gum recession. The laser can help significantly improve your periodontitis by reducing germs and stimulating tissue healing.More teeth are lost to periodontitis than to tooth decay!The laser can help prevent this so you can continue to show off your naturally beautiful smile.