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Lasers in Dentistry: From Fundamentals to Clinical Procedures, 5th Edition

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Course Overview
The purpose of this basic-level course is to provide the dentist and all members of the dental team with an overview of the basic operation of a dental laser, including a brief description of the various laser instruments currently available in the field of dentistry. The course will introduce the learner to the ways that laser energy interacts with oral tissues. Additionally, a list of safety regulations and standards and a comparison of the benefits and drawbacks of laser use will be provided. Several clinical procedures will be described.

It is important to note that no single laser device exists that will ideally treat every dental condition, just as there is no single bur that is applicable for all tooth preparations. Different lasers can be used similarly for various procedures; however, the clinician must understand how the specific device interacts with the target tissue. Lasers can be used for many dental procedures, including removing decay, reshaping the gingiva, and removing lesions. They can also be used during whitening procedures. A fundamental principle underlying the use of lasers in dentistry is that the least amount of energy or power should be used to reach the specific treatment outcome, and this principle will be emphasized throughout the course.

Laser technology has been employed in medicine since about 1975, and carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers were first used in oral surgical procedures during the beginning of the 1970s (Liaqat et al., 2022; Malcangi et al., 2023). In 1990 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first dental laser, a pulsed neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, for soft tissue surgery (Abdulsamee and Elrefaey, 2022). Currently, the FDA has approved the use of lasers in dentistry for treatment options for a variety of oral conditions (Sugimoto, 2024), including soft tissue surgery, restorative dentistry, periodontal and endodontic therapy, pediatric dentistry, and osseous procedures. 

Furthermore, the FDA clearance states that the devices are safe for use with both children and adults. Although no hard data exists on the extent of laser usage in dentistry, estimates are that 30% of dentists worldwide own a laser, with that number likely to increase in the future.

Learning Outcomes 
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:

  • Discuss the evolving use of lasers in the field of dentistry and their fundamental components.
  • Explain how lasers interact with oral hard and soft tissues.
  • Describe the lasers currently available for use in dentistry and their specific clinical applications.
  • Identify recommended laser safety protocols.
  • Recognize the benefits and drawbacks of using lasers in dentistry.
  • Discuss the use of lasers in various dental specialties

About the Author/Presenter 
Revising Author
Mark J. Szarejko, DDS, FAGD, received his DDS degree from the State University of New York in 1985 and received a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1994. He has authored and edited several dental continuing education courses on varied topics and has also given presentations on different subjects to local, regional, and national audiences. He retired in 2023 after more than 38 years of practicing as a general dentist with approximately 22 years of service as a full-time correctional (county-jail) staff dentist. He has served as an examiner for the dental licensure examinations since 1994. He has also served as an expert witness for the State of Florida and for private companies for the evaluation of standard of care issues as they relate to dental concerns.

Original Author
Donald J. Coluzzi, DDS, is a health science clinical professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry. Dr. Coluzzi received his DDS from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1970 and was in general practice for more than 35 years. He is a past president of the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD), a former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Laser Dentistry, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He serves as a reviewer for several dental journals and has received the Outstanding Faculty Member award from the American College of Dentists. Dr. Coluzzi has used dental lasers since early 1991 and has earned Advanced Proficiency in Nd:YAG and Er:YAG wavelengths. He has presented around the world on the subject of lasers, co-authored three books, contributed textbook chapters, and published several peer-reviewed articles.


Audience/Accreditations and Approvals 
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE 
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details): 
Dental AGD Code: 135

If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us