Paediatric laser dentistry. Part 2: Hard tissue laser applications.

AIM: Erbium lasers can provide effective and minimally invasive caries removal in children. The bonding phase remains a critic step as well as the choice of material. Glass ionomers exhibits lower bonding properties in laser irradiated teeth compared to the conventional method or to composite and resin modified glass ionomer. Laser can also provide effective decontamination and coagulation effects in vital and non vital pulp therapy of primary teeth, improving and simplifying the cleaning and disinfecting steps.

Paediatric laser dentistry. Part 1: General introduction.

AIM: Knowledge of the physical characteristics of different laser lights and optical and thermal properties of oral tissues is very important to understand the interaction of dental lasers with biological tissues. Choosing the correct dental laser is crucial to match specific wavelengths with target chromophores of different tissues; this affinity makes laser irradiation selective and therefore minimally invasive. Various types of lasers are used in dentistry, offering a viable alternative to low and high-speed handpieces and surgical blades, and also minimising fear and discomfort of the patient. Lasers can provide innovative and minimally invasive therapies in different branches of dentistry including preventive and restorative dentistry, traumatic injury treatments and surgical procedures. Laser has also biostimulating and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as analgesic effect.

Paediatric laser dentistry. Part 4: Soft tissue laser applications.

AIM: Lasers can provide effective soft tissues applications in children. All the wavelengths produce incision and vaporisation of oral tissues, together with a high bactericidal effect. The haemosthatic effect varys according to the wavelength used, and the choice of a visibile, near, medium or far infrared laser allows a better interaction with specific targets, gingiva, mucosa, frenum, or oral pathology.

Lasers in dental traumatology and low level laser therapy (LLLT).

BACKGROUND: Dental trauma in children is a frequent and often complex clinical event in which laser-assisted therapy, particularly using erbium lasers, can offer new treatment possibilities, improving the outcomes and reducing the associated complications. REVIEW: In particular, it is worth considering that the use of laser-assisted therapies is associated with a marked reduction in the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications compared with conventional procedures. Laser anaesthesia is another interesting and challenging area. CONCLUSION: Given the paucity of data on laser-assisted dental trauma therapy in the international literature and the absence of well-structured guidelines, this is an area ripe for scientific research.

Evidence-based dentistry on laser paediatric dentistry: review and outlook.

AIM: The goal of paediatric dentistry is to provide preventive education to parents and patients as well as interception and therapy of dental diseases in a minimally invasive way using a stress-free approach. Different laser wavelengths are used for different applications following these minimally invasive concepts: argon, KTP, diode, Nd:YAG, and CO2 lasers are used for soft tissue applications and the erbium family is used for both soft and hard tissue procedures. This paper offers a revision and a discussion of the international literature, showing also some clinical procedures. related to these scientific studies. Soft tissues laser applications in Pediatric Dentistry include application in oral surgery as well as in periodontics and orthodontics. Laser applications on hard tissues include caries prevention and detection and application for sealing of pits and fissures. Also application for cavity preparation, carious removal and pulp therapy are discussed.