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CLINICAL USES OF LASERS IN ORTHODONTICS
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James J. Hilgers, DDS, MS, Stephen G. Tracey, DDS, MS
J.Clinc.Orthod 2004; 38;5;266-273
Review: Shimon Reshef (Rashkovsky) D.M.D. M.Sc Israel, Active Member Academy of Laser Dentistry – Advanced proficiency
Emil Litvak D.M.D. M.Sc. Israel
www.lingualnews.com Vol 2 No 1, May 2004 |
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The publication of this paper gives further evidence of the growing interest in uses of laser technology in dentistry. The authors state that the advantages of laser surgery, such us less bleeding, less pain and better healing have long been employed. However, most dental surgical procedures are in hard tissue. Only recently, application of laser technology on enamel/dentine became more cost effective. Dentistry in general, and orthodontics in particular, are, in my opinion, embarking on the beginning of a new era of laser dentistry. Personally, using the newest laser technologies has provided me with several great advantages.
Applications in orthodontics
Removal of hyperplasic tissues adjacent to braces and orthodontic bands
Frenectomy
Gingivectomy
Gingivoplasty
Exposure of impacted teeth
Wound treatment: pressure spots, aphthous and herpetic lesions
Fibers splitting
Teeth whitening
Of great advantage is that all these applications can be administered by the orthodontist. More often than not these procedures can be performed without anaesthesia. In addition, there is almost no bleeding and no postoperative swelling.
Basics of laser technology
1. Each laser irradiates a beam of light of a specific wavelength.
2. Every target tissue has it's own optical properties.
3. These two characteristics determine laser/tissue interaction.
4. Soft tissue lasers are: diode, CO2, ND:YAG.
5. Hard tissue best choice is ER:YAG laser.
The diode laser is the most suitable in orthodontics, with reference to the above mentioned list of clinical procedures including its practical use in tooth whitening. In a group practice environment a better choice would be the ER:YAG laser in combination with DIODE or CO2 laser. However, the only ER:YAG laser that can treat soft and hard tissue efficiently is the one from FOTONA (Fidelis er:yag, Slovenia, Ljubljana) due to special technology developed by this veteran provider of laser technology company. |
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Some clinical cases:
1. Gingivoplasty |
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Before braces' removal After braces' removal During lasing 4 Days postoperative |
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2. Frenectomy |
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Before treatment During Lasing 24 Hours postoperative |
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3. Aphthous lesion |
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Before treatment During Lasing 24 Hours postoperative |
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All the above treatments were performed using Fotona Fidelis ER:YAG laser.
The story of laser dentistry would be incomplete without its economic/financial side. It is not only that you can, without referal, perform a variety of new procedures, the practitioner earns an entirely different image in the eyes of his/her patients. In this instance it is a high-tech cutting edge image which accompanies the expansion of procedures offered.
Conclusion
Laser technology is becoming a must for dentistry in general and for orthodontics in particular. It upgrades your practice a great deal and provides another source of increased revenues.
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www.lingualnews.com
Adult and Lingual Orthodontics
EDITORS:
Dr. Silvia Geron D.M.D., M.Sc
Dr. Rafi Romano D.M.D., M.Sc
Dr. Pablo Echarri D.M.D., M.Sc
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