Lesley Gent

Ethics & Jurisprudence

Dental Technology Paper

Dental Lasers: Usage of Lasers & Pros vs Cons

Dental lasers have been used in dentistry for numerous procedures since the mid to late

1990’s. Despite the FDA approval of dental lasers not one laser system has received the

American Dental Association Seal of acceptance as an alternative to more traditional treatment.

That seal of acceptance assures dentists that the device meets standards of safety and efficacy.

The ADA states they are cautiously optimistic about the role of laser technology in the field of

dentistry. That being said lasers can still be used in dental offices they just do not have that seal

of acceptance.

Dental lasers are used for a variety of procedures in dental offices. Some procedures

include; removal of tooth decay- within a tooth to help prepare the surrounding enamel for the

restoration, gum disease-a laser can be used to reshape gums and remove bacteria, biopsy or

lesion removal- lasers can be used to remove a small piece of tissue for a biopsy so it can be

examined for cancer. Also, laser can remove lesions in the mouth and help relieve pain of

canker/cold sores. Lastly, a dental laser can be used for teeth whitening- the laser can be used to

sped up the in-office whitening procedure. The peroxide bleaching solution is activated by the

laser energy which speeds up the whitening process.

 Now that some procedures have been discussed let’s talk about how the laser actually

works. The laser works by delivering energy in the form of light. When used for surgical or

dental procedures the laser acts as a cutting instrument of what tissue it comes in contact with.

Laser also have a hemostasis option and can be used to help with hemostasis following a

procedure performed with or without the laser initially.

Advantages and disadvantages always play a role in any product new or old. Some

disadvantages of this product are; the laser can’t be used on teeth with fillings already in place

(mainly amalgam restorations), lasers can’t be used for interproximal cavities or on large cavities

that need prepared for a crown. Traditional drills may still need to be used to shape fillings,

adjust bite and polish. Lasers do not eliminate the need for anesthesia like some think. Lastly,

laser treatment tends to be more expensive due to the fact that a laser is much more costly than a

dental drill. Advantages include; can cause less pain for less anesthetic to be used, can reduce

anxiety levels for patient’s because the dental drill noise is not being used as much, minimizes

bleeding and welling during soft tissue treatments and lasers could also preserve healthier tooth

during cavity removal.

Sterilizing and disinfecting the tool is mainly just like any other tool that is used in

dentistry. The tip of the laser is the only part that is used intraorally, and most lasers have tips

that are a one-time use for each patient, and they are disposed of in the sharps container when

finished. The rest of the machine is placed on the counter of where you will be working and

covered in barriers. Once finishing with the procedure, the barriers will be removed, and the

machine can be properly disinfected with whatever disinfected is used in the office the procedure

is being performed.
 Now deciding if a laser is the right fit for your office. It will be the dentist’s opinion if the

pros outweigh the cons and if a dental laser is worth the price in their dental office.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/laser-use-dentistry

https://www.healthline.com/health/laser-dentistry#types

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/dental-visits/all-about-dental-lasers