34
Lasers in Orthodontics
Authors: Dr. Gaurav Chaudhary Dr. Pavan Kumar Chandra Dr. Swapnil S. Bumb Dr. Vikas Singh Dr. Safalya Kadtane
Number of views: 496
The Laser was first demonstrated in 1960 by Theodore H. Maiman after the pioneering theoretical work by Basov, Prokhorov, and Townes1. Laser devices produce a very strong, coherent, unidirectional, and monochromatic light beam, which can be controlled to perform special functions Although the laser offers many advantages over other modalities of treatment, probably the greatest impact it has made, is its ability to be used for both hard and soft tissue, often without the need for anaesthesia. The word ‘Laser’ is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The energy generated by the laser is in or near the optical portion of the electromagnetic spectrum which is nonionizing. It does not produce the same harmful effects attributed to xrays and other forms of ionizing radiation The advantages of lasers over conventional surgery are that there is minimal bleeding; it maintains a sterilized field; there is no oedema and minimal pain. The working time while using lasers is also reduced as compared to conventional method. Depending on power settings and mode of delivery they can vaporize, coagulate or cut tissue. One of the greatest advantages of laser use in dentistry is a high rate of patient’s acceptance. With the use of lasers, pain
is reduced to absent 90% of the time ,probably due to the sealing of the nerve fibres .The other 10% of the time , patients will have pain of various intensities and durations .In some procedures ,such as the maxillary midline frenectomy, it is almost certain that there will be no postoperative pain. Lasers offer little chance for mechanical trauma, they cause minimal scarring and sutures are rarely needed. The disadvantages of lasers are that they are expensive and produce foul odour during surgery