Article ID: jslsm-40_0011
The 2.94 μm wavelength Er:YAG laser is strongly absorbed by water and is able to effectively ablate both soft and hard tissues. In periodontal treatment, Er:YAG lasers are used to debride inflammatory granulation tissue and calculus. Recently, we developed a novel bone regenerative procedure, Er:YAG laser-assisted bone regenerative therapy (Er-LBRT), which induces blood clot coagulation in the superficial areas of grafted bone. We have applied this technique in periodontal regenerative therapy. Er-LBRT achieved successful clinical outcomes that are more than equivalent to those seen with conventional periodontal regenerative therapy. Furthermore, Er-LBRT was applied to regenerative therapy in peri-implantitis treatment. In this article, the Er-LBRT procedure is introduced and its effectiveness is discussed based on clinical evidence.
