Abstract

LASER IN ENDODONTICS

Hulas Gogia, Megha Gupta, Aditi Jaiswal, Himanshu Sharma, Bhanupratap Singh Sisodiya, Ishita Panwar, Himanshu Thukral*

ABSTRACT

Lasers were introduced into the field of clinical dentistry with the hope of overcoming some of the drawbacks posed by the conventional methods of dental procedures. Since its first experiment for dental application in the 1960s, the use of laser has increased rapidly in the last couple of decades. At present, wide varieties of procedures are carried out using laser. The purpose of this paper is to summarize laser applications in endodontics, including their use in pulp diagnosis, dentinal hypersensitivity, pulp capping and pulpotomy, sterilization of root canals, root canal shaping and obturation and Apicoectomy. The essential question is whether a laser can provide equal or improved treatment over conventional care. Secondary issues include treatment duration and cost/benefit ratio. This article reviews the role of lasers in endodontics and conservative dentistry since the early 1970s, summarizes many research reports from the last decade, and surmises what the future may hold for lasers in endodontics. With the potential availability of many new laser wavelengths and modes, much interest is developing in this promising field.

Keywords: Dentine; laser diagnosis; laser therapy use; root canal treatment.