Lasers in dentistry

摘要

The infrared-laser systems like the Er:YAG, the cw CO$-2$/, the Nd:YAG, and the UV- excimer lasers are being investigated for preparing tooth-hard substances. The infrared lasers cause thermal damage to the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp with the exception of the Er:YAG laser. No thermal damage occurs using the Er:YAG laser under practical conditions because of the special thermomechanical ablation process. The ablation rates of the UV- excimer lasers are to low for practical use. Enhancing the ablation efficiency by high- repetition rates causes thermal side effects to occur. Therefore, only the Er:YAG laser has the potential to partially replace the mechanical drill.