New Trend of Laser Application in Endodontics

Abstract

This article summarizes the new trend of laser application in endodontics. Er: YAG laser is promising in cavity preparation because of its disinfecting and tooth cutting abilities, low noise, less pain and no vibration. Laser is also used for measuring pulpal blood flow. In traumatized and/or developing teeth, laser Doppler flowmetry is sometimes the only method to diagnose tooth pulp vitality. Nd: YAG laser has been tested for pulpotomy, resulting in better formation of dentin bridge on the exposed pulp. We also tested Er: YAG laser for endodontic surgery and found that cut dentin surfaces by Er: YAG laser are clean and free of smeared layer. The use of lasers in endodontics is getting popular year by year among Japanese dentists.