Dental laser

A dental laser is a type of laser designed specifically for use in oral surgery. In the United States, the use of lasers on the gums was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the early 1990s, and use on hard tissue like teeth or the bone of the mandible gained approval in 1996. ^[1] Several variants of dental laser are in use, with the most common being carbon dioxide lasers and yttrium aluminium garnet laser. Different lasers are better suited for different applications.

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Use of the dental laser remains limited, with cost and effectiveness being the primary barriers. The cost of a dental ranges from $25,000 to $50,000, where a pnuematic dental drill costs between $200 and $500. The lasers are also incapable of performing many routine dental operations, including root canals, dental crowns, or the removal of fillings. ^[2] Dental lasers are not without their benefits, though, as the use of a laser decreases morbidity after surgery, and reduces the need for anesthetics.

References

1. ^ Lewis, Ph.D., Ricki (January 1995). Lasers in Dentistry. FDA Consumer Magazine. Retrieved on 21 July 2007.
2. ^ Gordon, Jerry. How Cavities and Fillings Work. HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved on 21 July 2007.