Diode Laser Types
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 photobiomodulation.
That's why we at Dentsply Sirona opted for diode lasers from the word go.
Laser in dentistry and their specific indications
| Diode lasers | Other lasers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SiroLaser Blue | Other diode lasers | Er:YAG laser | Nd:YAG laser | CO2 -Laser | ||
| Wavelengths | 445nm+ 660nm + 970nm | 970nm, 940nm, 810nm | 2.940nm | 1.064nm | 9.600-10.600 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 | Partially suitable | Suitable | Not suitable | |
| Bacterial infections (herpes, aphthous ulcers) | Suitable | Suitable | Partially suitable | Suitable | Suitable | |
| Photobiomodulation | Suitable | Suitable* | Not suitable | Not suitable | Not suitable | |
| Hard tissue preparation | Not suitable | Not suitable | Suitable | Not suitable | Suitable** | |
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 photobiomodulation (e.g. pain therapy and photodynamic therapy).
* only with corresponding functionality
** 1 laser model available on the market
