Lasers general principles - a review

The scientific literature regarding dental application for laser is increasing. The past decade has seen a veritable explosion of research into the clinical applications of lasers in dental practice. Once regarded as a complex technology with limited uses in clinical dentistry, has grown with its awareness and usefulness in the armamentarium of the modern dental practice. They have been used as an adjunct or alternative to the traditional approaches. Since the development of the ruby laser by Maimam in 1960, a variety of papers on potential application of lasers in dentistry have been published. Various, and at times conflicting, claims by manufacturers, scientists and clinicians fill dental meetings and journals. The purpose of this paper is to review the general principles of lasers including their properties, components, tissue interaction, hazards and laser safety. With the potential availability of many new laser wave lengths and modes, much interest is developing in this promising field.