Various types of lasers are used in dentistry. On the one hand there are large and expensive Er:YAG (specialist for hard tissue applications), Nd:YAG (specialist for bacterial reduction) and CO2 lasers (specialist for surgery) which, due to their design, have less flexible mirror arm systems, complex cooling mechanisms and relatively long start-up times. On the other hand there are compact and more cost-effective diode lasers with a wider range of applications, e.g., for minimally invasive surgery, bacterial reduction in periodontology and endodontics as well as low-level laser therapy.
That's why we at Dentsply Sirona opted for diode lasers from the word go.
Laser in dentistry and their specific indications
Diode laser SiroLaser Blue | Diode laser | Er:YAG laser | Nd:YAG laser | CO2 -Laser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wavelengths | 445nm+ 660nm + 970nm | 970nm, 940nm, 810nm | 2.940nm | 1.064nm | 10.600 nm |
| Model type | Compact model | Compact model | Large model | Large model | Large model |
| Indications | |||||
| Surgery (soft tissue) | Suitable | Partially suitable | Suitable | Unsuitable | Suitable |
| Hemostasis | Suitable | Suitable | Not suitable | Suitable | Partially suitable |
| Periodontology | Suitable | Suitable | Partially suitable | Suitable | Suitable |
| Endodontics | Suitable | Suitable | Not suitable | Suitable | Not suitable |
| Bacterial infections (herpes, aphthous ulcers) | Suitable | Suitable | Partially suitable | Suitable | Suitable |
| Soft laser therapy (LLLT ) | Suitable | Suitable* | Not suitable | Not suitable | Not suitable |
| Hard tissue preparation | Not suitable | Not suitable | Suitable | Not suitable | Suitable** |
* only with corresponding functionality
** 1 laser model available on the market
Depending on the laser wavelength and the tissue composition, various physical interactions are induced:
Furthermore, with diode lasers one can differentiate between hard and soft lasers.
- Hard lasers trigger a direct reaction with the tissue through absorption. They are used in surgery for bacterial reduction.
- Soft lasers do not trigger a direct reaction with the tissue, instead acting at the cellular level deep inside tissues. They are used for pain therapy and photodynamic therapy.
Why should you choose a diode laser?
Get to know how a diode laser works and why you should choose the SiroLaser Blue