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ePaper created 2017-10-26, 15:28:59 | version 1.38.0
| overview Fig. 2: Dentine disinfection with the red light revealing contaminated areas. Fig. 3: The diode laser can be used for the minimal gingival retouch near cavity margins. Fig. 4: Bleaching with the diode laser in combination with the respective agents and handpieces. Fig. 5: With the erbium family Fig. 2 laser there is no noise, vibration or pressure during the treatment and less need for anaesthesia. Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 available in the market, combining the versatile use for a numerous different everyday clinical cases (surgical, endo, perio, bleaching, etc.), with signifi- cantly reduced prices compared to other alternatives. In restorative dentistry in particular, the diode laser can be used for the minimal gingival retouch near cavity margins (Fig. 3), haemostasis and gingival troughing before a restoration or impression taking as well as for bleaching procedures used always in combination with the respective bleaching agents and handpieces (Fig. 4). Especially in cases where gingival and bleeding management is crucial, these devices can provide a safe and predictable result much quicker than conventional approaches. De- 10 laser 3 2017 pending on case requirements, a number of different settings should be used. Decay diagnosis Concurrently, at the same range of the electro- magnetic spectrum and in particular at 655 nm laser caries detection device has been developed. Dental decay lesion’s diagnosis and risk evaluation is the corner stone of modern operative dentistry and the minimally-invasive approach. Accurate detection of site, extent and activity of the lesion is of paramount importance, in our effort to provide quality treatment to our patients. DIAGNOdent system utilises the principle of “laser fluorescence” in order to detect and classify decay lesions. Numerous research papers have shown that this is a valid alternative in the caries examination armamentarium. It exhibits clinically adequate ability to “probe” difficult to access areas, such as, pits and fissures and offer practitioners an extra objective aid to examine and evaluate suspi- cious areas, promoting minimally-invasive restor- ative treatment. The “erbium family laser” The erbium family laser devices (Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG) are the protagonists in the restorative dentistry palette. Thus, they can be referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife” as they can perform all needed actions related to procedures in modern restorative dentistry. These results are based on the fact that er- bium lasers are highly absorbed in water, a compound existing in variable amounts, in all human tissues. Their only significant drawback that limits their use in a dental surgery is their relatively elevated price in the market. It goes without saying, of course, that as in all laser instances, prior to the acquisition and use of such devices a proper, well-structured and documented education and training is essential. The erbium family laser devices can successfully perform all procedures both on soft and hard oral tissues. With the respective parameters and settings, an erbium family laser can manage gingival contour- ing and modelling (most of the times without the need for anaesthesia) and then proceed to cavity preparation in a clinically acceptable time span. The cavity preparation is a less frustrating proce- dure for the patient as it lacks major issues of the conventional approach, for example anaesthesia, noise, vibrations, pressure, etc. (Fig. 5). Even when getting close to the pulp or on minor directly man- ageable pulp exposures, with the use of the appropri- ate settings, a pulpal “bandage” can be achieved in a safe way (Figs. 6–8).