Lasers in Periodontology

From Volume 31, Issue 9, November 2004 | Pages 535-547

Authors

M. Mavrogiannis

DDS

Postgraduate Student, Department of Periodontology, Newcastle upon Tyne School of Dental Sciences, Framlington Place NE2 4BW

Articles by M. Mavrogiannis

J.M. Thomason

BDS, PhD, FDS RCS(Edin.)

Professor of Prosthodontics and Oral Rehabilitation, Newcastle upon Tyne School of Dental Sciences, Framlington Place NE2 4BW

Articles by J.M. Thomason

R.A. Seymour

BDS, PhD, FDS RCS(Edin.)

Dean of Dentistry, Professor of Periodontology, Newcastle upon Tyne School of Dental Sciences, Framlington Place NE2 4BW

Articles by R.A. Seymour

Abstract

Since the development of the ruby laser by Maiman in 1960, lasers have been widely employed in medicine for a number of years. The purpose of this paper is to summarize potential applications for lasers in dentistry, with special regard to periodontology. This article briefly describes clinical applications of lasers and laser safety. Particularly, the use of a diode laser seems to be promising, especially in already compromised transplant patients, who need to be treated with a technique where the operative and post-operative blood loss, post-operative discomfort and the recurrence of drug-induced gingival overgrowth need to be kept to a minimum or eliminated. Therefore, the use of lasers in periodontology may lead to an alteration in present clinical practice and help to establish the best management strategy because, by maintaining periodontal health, the life quality of patients can be improved.

Article

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