Since the development of the ruby laser by Maiman in 1960 and the application of the laser in the endodontic field by Weichman in 1971, many papers on the use of lasers have been published and much information has been accumulated. Although research on new devices and methods of using lasers in endodontics has continued, there have been few review articles on this area. Accordingly, this study aimed to summarize the latest information on the use of lasers in endodontics. This paper examines the following: diagnosis of dental pulp, treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, applications for the treatment of pulp capping and pulpotomy, effects of lasers on root canal walls, root canal preparation by lasers, effects of lasers on periodontal tissues, application for apicoectomy, and other applications for endodontic treatment. The key question is whether laser treatment can provide equal or better treatment than conventional care. This article reviews the role of lasers in endodontics since the early 1970s, summarizes many research reports over the last half century, and considers the possible future of lasers in endodontics. With the potential availability and future development of lasers of different wavelength and method of pulsing, interest is growing in this promising field.
