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Journal of Laser and Health Academy
Vol. 2007; No. 4; www.laserandhealth.com
1
Versatility of an 810 nm Diode Laser in Dentistry: An
Overview
Samo Pirnat
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty, Ljubljana
Abstract:
The breakthrough for dental laser systems came in the
mid 1990's. Among the various laser types with
corresponding wavelengths, diode laser systems
quickly began establishing themselves as compact,
competitively priced and versatile additions to the
dentist's repertoire, predominantly for performing soft
tissue applications. Research has shown that near
infrared (NIR) wavelengths are ideally suited for
numerous soft tissue procedures due to their high
absorption in hemoglobin. This fact gives NIR laser
the ability to precisely and efficiently cut, coagulate,
ablate or vaporize the target tissue. The added
advantage of laser performed surgical procedures is the
sealing of small blood and lymphatic vessels, resulting
in hemostasis and reduced post-operative edema,
disinfection of target tissue due to local heating and
production of eschar layer and decreased amount of
scarring due to decreased post-operative tissue
shrinkage. Among the available NIR wavelengths,
research has shown the wavelengths around 810 nm to
be one of the most versatile with regard to the number
of possible treatment options, as this wavelength range
can be effectively used in the field of soft tissue
surgery, periodontics, endodontics, implantology and
tooth whitening. The versatility of the instrument,
combined with the latest achievements in diode laser
technology, compact design and affordability, should
appeal to dental professionals seeking to optimize the
procedures they currently perform and expand the
number of services they offer.
Key words: laser; diode; diode lasers; dentistry; soft
tissue; 810 nm
INTRODUCTION
Even though Theodore Maiman had exposed an
extracted tooth to his ruby laser in 1960, the
breakthrough for lasers in the field of the dentistry
came in the mid 1990s, with various laser types
(Nd:YAG, Er,Cr:YSGG, Er:YAG, CO
2
) with
corresponding wavelengths (1064 nm, 2780 nm, 2940
nm, 10600 nm) becoming available to the dentists to
address their needs for hard and soft tissue procedures.
Soft tissue NIR lasers are characterized by a high
absorption in chromophores found in soft tissue, e.g.
hemoglobin, resulting in excellent soft tissue incision,
ablation and coagulation performance as well as
antimicrobial effectiveness, due to relatively deep
highly localized tissue heating. Hard tissue lasers are
highly absorbed in (carbonated) hydroxyapatite and
water chromophores and are thus able to finely ablate
hard tissues without heating of the surrounding tissue.
Soft tissue NIR lasers include solid crystal Nd:YAG
lasers (1064 nm) and diode lasers (810 nm and 980
nm).
Among the various lasers appearing in the mid 1990s,
semiconductor diode lasers also made their debut.
With several advantages, including their small size,
price range and versatility regarding the possible
treatment applications, the diode lasers represent a
valuable addition to the dentist's repertoire.
Diode lasers can be used for a multitude of dental
procedures which are predominantly soft tissue
procedures and include soft tissue surgery [1, 2, 3],
periodontal pocket therapy [4, 5], peri-implantitis [6],
but can also be used for certain applications involving
hard tissue (teeth), i.e. endodontics - root canal
disinfection [7, 8, 9] and laser-assisted tooth whitening
[10]. The ability to perform the aforementioned
procedures depends on the appropriate technical
characteristics, which the diode must posses. The most
important characteristic is the wavelength of the diode
laser used as the wavelength determines how the laser
light will interact with the target tissue (absorption in
the appropriate tissue chromophores, penetration
depth into the tissue etc.). To date, research has shown
that NIR (near infrared) laser light around 810 nm to
be one of the most versatile wavelength ranges in
diode lasers available to the dentist with regard to the
number of different treatments it can be used for.
Other characteristics which also need to be considered
include maximum power available to the user
(available power determines the number of procedures
which can be done and the speed with which they can
be done), the way the laser beam can be modulated
(CW – continuous wave, pulsed mode) and the mode
of delivery of the laser beam.
© Laser and Health Academy. All rights reserved.
Printed in Europe. www.laserandhealth.com
Versatility of an 810 nm Diode Laser in Dentistry: An Overview
2
OVERVIEW OF TECHNICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF A DIODE LASER
Basic Design of a Diode Laser
One of the advantages of diode lasers in comparison
to other laser systems, which is immediately apparent
to the naked eye, is their size. The development of
micro-structure diode cells which are capable of
emitting laser light has drastically reduced the bulk of
laser systems. The latest dental diode lasers have been
designed to have dimensions similar to a standard
phone [Fig. 1].
Fig. 1 Dental diode laser system (Fotona XD-2)
Only solid material active media (e.g. GaAlAs –
Gallium Aluminum Arsenide) is used in diode lasers.
Because of the crystalline nature of the active medium,
the ends of the crystal can be selectively polished
relative to internal refractive indices to produce totally
and partially reflective surfaces thus serving the same
function as the optical resonators of larger laser
systems. The discharge of current across the active
medium releases photons from the active medium,
finally resulting in the generation of laser light of a
specific wavelength, which is determined by the active
medium used [Fig. 2].
At the present, each diode "chip" produces relatively
low-energy output. Some low power diode lasers,
operating in milliwatt range, are usually being
advertised for low level laser therapy (LLLT). In order
to achieve the power necessary for various dental
procedures (e.g. soft tissue surgery), today's dental
diode lasers employ banks of individual diode chips in
parallel to achieve the appropriate power levels (several
watts). Some dental diode lasers can also be set to
lower power (milliwatt range) and can also perform
LLLT procedures.
The design of diode laser systems also brings several
advantages with it. Already mentioned was the small
size of the laser system, which can be of great benefit
as it means the device will take up very little office
space and assures great portability of the laser system
due to its low weight. Also mentioned was the
attractive price range of diode lasers, which makes
them accessible to a wide range of dental professionals,
who want to perform current procedures faster and
more efficiently and wish to expand the services
currently offered in their practice. Other benefits
include a very short time (usually a couple of seconds)
in which the laser treatment beam is available to the
user after switching the system on. Other laser systems
generally need a couple of minutes to reach the ready
status. Also, diode lasers consume very little power
when compared to other laser systems, thus saving the
user money and contributing to the protection the
environment. Another important aspect to consider is
the widespread use and the reliability of diode laser
technology, with more than 40 million pieces produced
annually which are being used in devices ranging from
DVD-players and laser pointers to state of the art
dental diode lasers.
Fig. 2 Simplified schematic outline of a typical diode laser
Laser light emission modes
Lasers are said to be running in either continuous wave
(CW) or pulsed mode. This relates to the rate of
emission of laser light with time and the prime benefit
of a pulsed mode will be the capacity of the target
tissue to cool between successive pulses. The CW
mode is generally the fastest way to ablate tissues but
heat can build up and cause collateral damage to the
target and adjacent tissues. Modern dental diode lasers
can operate in both CW and pulsed mode. The factors
that determine the average power when the diode laser
is operating in pulsed mode are the current power
setting and the duty cycle setting. Duty cycle is a
periodic phenomenon defined as the ratio of the
duration of the phenomenon (pulsewidth) in a given
period to the period (reciprocal value of the current
frequency setting - number of pulses per second). To
clarify the previous statement, consider a following
Journal of Laser and Health Academy
Vol. 2007; No. 4; www.laserandhealth.com
3
example – when the diode is set to CW mode and the
power is set to 2 W, the system will emit an average
power of 2 W per second. When operating in pulsed
mode, a power setting of 2 W and the duty cycle set to
½ will result in an average power emission of 1 W per
second.
It is important to familiarize oneself with the various
average and peak powers that can be achieved when
using different emission mode settings of the laser
system in order to achieve an optimal transfer of the
energy from the laser beam to the target tissue,
resulting in a desired therapeutic effect.
Laser light Delivery to the Target Tissue
Most dental diode lasers employ a flexible optic fiber
(usually inserted into an appropriate handpiece for
comfortable handling) to deliver the treatment beam to
the desired area. There are a number of things to
consider when using an optic fiber. When using
parameters mentioned in application notes or in
research papers, always note the diameter of the fiber
described in those papers. Using a smaller diameter
fiber will increase the power density at the fiber tip. As
a result, you may need to decrease the power setting.
Increasing the power may be required when using a
larger diameter fiber. As a rule of thumb, in order to
achieve the same rate of work after changing fiber
diameters, a smaller diameter fiber will require less
power and conversely, a larger diameter will require
more power. Another thing to keep in mind is the
speed of movement of the fiber tip during treatment.
Tissue charring is an undesirable side effect of too
much power and/or the tip moving too slowly. Always
use the least amount of power necessary to complete
your procedure and move the fiber tip using short 1-2
mm "paint brush" type strokes and move quickly when
working on soft tissue. Finally, regularly check the
condition of the optical fiber. Always cleave the fiber
tip after it becomes blackened (2-4 mm from the tip),
because tissue debris accumulate on the tip during
surgery and this causes the fiber tip to retain extreme
heat and begins to act as a "branding iron". This can
lead to unwanted tissue heating and can lead to rapid
tip deterioration and subsequent breakage. It is also
important to properly cleave the fiber so that no shard
is present on the fiber tip, as it may act as a miniature
scalpel and damage the small blood vessels, thus
interfering with hemostasis and coagulation.
LASER – TISSUE INTERACTIONS
The basics
In clinical dentistry, laser light is used to effect
controlled and precise changes in target tissue, through
the transfer of electromagnetic energy [11]. Light
energy interacts with a target medium (e.g. oral tissue)
in one of four ways [12] [Fig. 3]:
Transmission
Laser beam enters the medium and emerges distally
without interacting with the medium. The beam exits
either unchanged or partially refracted.
Reflection
When either the density of the medium or angle of
incidence are less than the refractive angle, total
reflection of the beam will occur. The incident and
emergence angles of the laser beam will be the same
for true reflection or some scatter may occur if the
medium interface is non-homogenous or rough.
Scatter
There is interaction between the laser beam and the
medium. This interaction is not intensive enough to
cause complete attenuation of the beam. Result of light
scattering is a decrease of laser energy with distance,
together with a distortion in the beam (rays travel in an
uncontrolled direction through the medium).
Absorption
The incident energy of the laser beam is attenuated by
the medium and converted into another form. With
the use of dental diode lasers, the most common form
of conversion of laser energy is into heat or, in the case
of very low energy values, biomodulation of receptor
tissue sites seems to occur [13, 14]. Heat transfer
mediated physical change in target tissue is termed
photothermolysis.
Fig. 3 Possible laser light - tissue interactions
Absorption
In any desired laser-tissue interaction, the goal is to
achieve the maximum absorption of laser light by the
target tissue, as this will allow maximal control of the
resultant effects.
Versatility of an 810 nm Diode Laser in Dentistry: An Overview
4
Absorption is determined by matching incident laser
beam energy (wavelength) to the electron shell energy
in target atoms. Absorption of laser energy in the
target tissue leads to generation of heat and rising heat
levels lead to dissociation of covalent bonds (in tissue
proteins), phase transfer from liquid to vapour (in
intra- and inter-cellular water), onto phase transfer to
hydrocarbon gases and production of residual carbon
[15]. Secondary effects can occur because of heat
generation (through conduction).
When predicting the conversion of electromagnetic
energy to heat effects in target tissue, unwanted change
through conductive thermal spread must be taken into
account and reduced to lowest possible level. The
ability to control a progressively increasing heat
loading of target tissue is termed as thermal relaxation
[16]. Thermal relaxation rates are proportional to the
area of tissue exposed and inversely proportional to
the absorption coefficient of the tissue, assuming fixed
values of thermal and light diffusivity for the tissue in
question.
Factors Associated with Absorption and Thermal
Relaxation
Some of the more important factors that affect the
thermal relaxation of the target tissue and absorption
of laser light by the target tissue (separately and/or
collectively) [17] are:
Laser Wavelength and Tissue Composition
Parts of the tissue that absorb laser light energy are
termed chromophores. Oral tissues contain several
chromophores: hemoglobin, melanin and other
pigmented proteins, (carbonated) hydroxyapatite and
water. The absorption coefficients for the listed
chromophores with regard to the wavelengths used in
dental lasers is shown in Fig. 4. Generally, pigmented
tissues will better absorb visible or NIR wavelengths,
whereas non-pigmented tissues absorb longer
wavelengths. In addition, absorption peaks of water
and hydroxyapatite coincide for example with
Er:YAG.
Water as a constituent of every living cell will influence
the penetration of longer wavelength laser light into
the tissue, whilst non-pigmented surface components
will enable greater penetration for visible or NIR
wavelengths. For example, a CO
2
laser might penetrate
the oral epithelium to a depth of 0.1-0.2 mm whilst
NIR wavelengths can result in penetration of 4-6 mm
[18] (when using equal power settings for the
mentioned lasers).
Fig. 4 Absorption coefficients of various tissue
chromophores relative to laser wavelength
Incident Angle of Laser Beam
Maximum control of laser-tissue interaction can be
achieved if the incident laser beam is perpendicular to
the tissue surface. Reducing the incident angle towards
the refractive angle of the tissue surface will increase
the potential for true light reflection with an associated
reduction in tissue change [19].
Exposure time and Laser Emission Mode
Pulsing of laser light delivery will allow some cooling
to occur in-between pulses.
Beam diameter and beam movement
As laser light exits the optic fiber, divergence of the
beam will occur. Consequently, the spot size of the
beam (relative to the target tissue) will determine the
amount of laser energy (fluence – J/cm
2
) being
delivered over an area [20]. The spotsize will increase
with increasing distance (optic fiber – target tissue).
Therefore, thermal changes at the target site can be
effectively controlled by modifying the amount of
energy delivered to the target site via moving the
handpiece closer or farther from the target site. To
summarize, for any chosen power setting, the smaller
the beam diameter, the greater the concentration of
heat effects.
Faster laser beam movement will also reduce heat
build-up in the target tissue and aid thermal relaxation.
Journal of Laser and Health Academy
Vol. 2007; No. 4; www.laserandhealth.com
5
Coolants
Coolants can control or limit the temperature rise of
target and associated tissues. Coolants can be either
endogenous (e.g. blood flow) or exogenous (e.g. air,
water, pre-cooling of tissue).
NIR Laser light and Soft Tissue Cutting
When correct parameters are used, a central zone of
tissue ablation is surrounded by an area of irreversible
protein denaturation (coagulation, char). Around this
central zone, a reversible, reactionary zone of edema
will develop along a thermal gradient. Ideally, the
incision line will equal the beam diameter. Heat build-
up will also disinfect the targeted and surrounding area
and the production of a surface coagulum discourages
bacterial contamination of the wound. When using
NIR lasers on soft tissue there is minimal or no
bleeding due to a combination of sealing of small
vessels through tissue protein denaturation and
stimulation of Factor VII production in clotting. The
heat buildup also allows for the sealing of small
lymphatic vessels which results in a reduced post-
operative edema. Suturing is usually not necessary also
due to the surface coagulum. The formation of scar
tissue should be minimal due to reduced post-
operative tissue shrinkage [1, 3, 21].
When comparing NIR lasers - the Nd:YAG (1064 nm)
and diode lasers (805 nm, 810 nm), the mentioned
wavelengths have a similarly high absorption in soft
tissue which translates into excellent incision
performance and coagulation of tissue [22, 23].
NIR Laser light and Hard Tissue
NIR wavelengths have little absorption in dental hard
tissue and have the potential to cause thermal cracking
and amorphous change in the hydroxyapatite crystal
structure. Additionally, they can also have a deleterious
effect on pulp tissue due to the intra-pulpal
temperature rise because of relatively high
transmission of NIR wavelengths through enamel and
dentin [24].
From the clinician's viewpoint, two wavelengths have
the ability to effectively interact with dental hard tissue,
Er:YAG (2940 nm) and Er,Cr:YSGG (2780 nm).
Another wavelength which was tested on dental hard
tissues was the CO
2
laser, but the laser's CW and gated
CW emission modes render its power output low and
have a significantly negative impact on the thermal
relaxation potential, which can lead to disastrous
effects on dental hard tissue [25, 26]. In contrast, both
erbium lasers can reach high peak powers due to their
pulsed emission modes and have relatively high
absorption in water. High peak powers combined with
high absorption in water effectively results in an
instant vaporization of the water content in enamel
and dentin, leading to explosive dissociation of the
tissue and ejection of micro-fragments, resulting in
precise tissue ablation. Both lasers also employ co-axial
water sprays, which help to disperse the ablated tissue
and cool the target [27]. The result is the ability to
selectively ablate carious dental tissue due to higher
water content when compared to healthy enamel and
dentin. Additionally, pulpal temperature rise is minimal
when using erbium laser wavelengths and therefore has
less potential to cause thermal damage to the pulp
when compared to rotary instrumentation [28]. Of the
two erbium laser, the Er:YAG appears to be better
suited for hard dental tissues. Er:YAG wavelength has
a higher absorption coefficient for water (13,000/cm
for Er:YAG vs. 4,000/cm for Er,Cr:YSGG), resulting
in a more efficient ablation of dental hard tissue. For
example, the ablation threshold for enamel is 9-11
J/cm
2
for Er:YAG and 10-14 J/cm
2
for Er,Cr:YSGG
[29]. The precise mode of action of Er,Cr:YSGG laser
on dental hard tissue is another contested issue -
claims have been made as to the involvement of the
atomized water spray, used with the Er,Cr:YSGG
("hydrokinetic effect") [30]. The hypothesis is that
water droplets axial to the laser beam absorb kinetic
energy. The droplets are then accelerated and help with
hard tissue ablation. Research into this effect has
questioned the validity of such claims and as
previously mentioned, with comparable incident
energies, the ablation rate of the Er, Cr:YSGG for
enamel is slightly slower than that of Er:YAG [31].
The Er:YAG is also superior to Er, Cr:YSGG with
regard to heat produced with laser ablation of bone
[32]. Higher water content and lower density of bone
compared to enamel allows faster cutting, through
dislocation of hydroxyapatite and cleavage of the
collagen matrix. The relative ease of bone cutting
establishes the Er:YAG wavelength as the preferred
choice when compared to other laser wavelengths.
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
"Loose" Soft-Tissue Surgery with the 810 nm
Diode Laser
Applications include the removal of fibromata, labial
and lingual frenectomies, small hemangiomata,
mucocele, denture granulomata, treatment of non-
erosive lichen planus, aphthae and herpes lesions [3,
Versatility of an 810 nm Diode Laser in Dentistry: An Overview
6
33, 34]. The etiology of the lesion should be assessed
and as with a scalpel, the abnormal tissue should be
placed under tension to enable accurate cleavage
(whenever possible). With regard to diode laser
surgery, the laser handpiece tip is generally held very
close to the tissue surface. This allows the laser energy
to effect the incision and minimizes the build-up of
debris on the tip, which can lead to unwanted thermal
damage to the tissue. For most minor intra-oral
surgical procedures, the recommended average power
setting is in the range of 2-4 W [33].
As was already mentioned, the 810 nm wavelength
diode laser transverses the epithelium and penetrates 2
– 6 mm into the tissue. When laser cutting is in
progress, small blood and lymphatic vessels are sealed
due to the generated heat, thereby reducing or
eliminating bleeding and edema. Denatured proteins
within tissue and plasma are the source of the layer
termed "coagulum" or "char", which is formed
because of laser action and serves to protect the
wound from bacterial or frictional action. Clinically,
during 48-72 hours post-surgery, this layer becomes
hydrated from saliva, swells and eventually
disintegrates to later reveal an early healing bed of new
tissue [33].
Care must be taken when working near anatomical
sites that might be damaged through excessive power
values [35]. For example, excessive power settings
might cause thermal damage to the underlying
periosteum and bone. Damage to these anatomical
sites can be avoided by using appropriate (lower)
power levels, keeping the laser beam parallel to and
away from the underlying bone and employing proper
irradiation time intervals to allow sufficient tissue
cooling [33].
"Fixed" Soft-Tissue Surgery with the Diode Laser
The 810 nm diode laser can be used for numerous
"fixed" soft tissue procedures including gingival
hyperplasia, tooth exposure and hyperpigmentation.
Additionally, there is a range of gingival adaptation
procedures, both to allow restorative procedures and
to allow access to restorative margins during
restorative procedures [36]. The laser energy will act
primarily as a means of incision, excision or ablation,
with the same advantages over the scalpel that were
mentioned previously (no or minimal bleeding, no
sutures, less chance for infection of the wound). When
possible, any laser surgical procedure in and around
the gingival cuff should seek to preserve a biological
width (the zones of connective and epithelial tissues
attached to the tooth), minimum 3 mm in depth,
which will help to maintain gingival margin stability,
alveolar bone height and health and prevent
overgrowth [37, 38, 39]. Power settings of 1.5-3.0 watts
with intervals should be optimal for most, if not all
gingival procedures [36]. Again care must be taken to
avoid thermal damage to the underlying periosteum
and bone, together with root surface at gingival margin
levels. Therefore assessment of the thickness,
vascularity and position of any target gingival tissue,
together with an assessment of adjacent bone and
tooth tissue, is recommended. Also, to minimize the
buildup of carbonized debris, post-ablation tissue
should be discarded using a curette, damp cotton wool
or gauze [36].
Periodontal Therapy with the 810 nm Dental
Diode Laser
The main use for the 810 dental diode laser in the
periodontal therapy is the removal of diseased pocket
lining epithelium and disinfection of periodontal
pockets. Optic fiber delivery systems, with 200-320 µm
fiber diameters, enable extremely easy access into the
periodontal pocket. After hard and soft deposits have
been removed through scaling and/or root-planing,
the pocket architecture is re-assessed, with emphasis
on the depth. The fiber is then measured to a distance
of one to two millimeters short of the pocket depth
and is inserted at an angle to maintain contact with the
soft tissue wall at all times. The fiber is then used in
light contact, sweeping mode to cover the entire soft
tissue lining. Power setting of 0.8-1 W should suffice
to ablate the epithelial lining. Start with the ablation
near the base of the pocket and slowly proceed
upwards. Often some bleeding of the pocket site will
occur, possibly due to damage to the inflamed pocket
epithelium, but in terms of laser hemostasis, the power
levels used are low and aimed at removing the
epithelial surface and disinfecting the pocket [4, 5, 40].
The fiber tip should be regularly inspected and cleaned
with a damp sterile gauze or cleaved in order to
prevent the buildup of debris on the fiber tip. The
treatment time per pocket should be around 20-30 s,
amounting possibly to 1-2 minutes per tooth site. Re-
treatments should follow at weekly intervals during the
maximum four week period. Pocket probing and
measurement to establish benefits of treatment is not
advised during this period [40]. With regard to the
disinfection of periodontal pockets, studies [4, 41] have
shown the effectiveness of diode laser in eliminating
bacteria commonly implicated in periodontal disease
and bone loss (e.g. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans,
Porphyromonas gingivalis). When using the diode laser,
care must be taken to avoid unwanted heating, both of
Journal of Laser and Health Academy
Vol. 2007; No. 4; www.laserandhealth.com
7
the tooth and periodontal attachment apparatus.
Without tactile feedback, coupled with the "blind"
treatment of non-reflected periodontal flaps, caution is
paramount and a thorough diagnosis of the diseased
periodontium must be obtained prior to laser use [40].
Using the 810 nm Dental Diode Laser in
Implantology and Endodontics
In implantology, the 810 nm dental diode laser can be
used for second stage implant recovery and the
treatment of peri-implantitis.
In second stage implant recovery care must be
exercised to avoid contact with the implant body. Soft
tissue ablation leads to precise and predictable healing
and the procedure can usually be performed with the
use of a topical anesthetic. The appropriate power
setting for the removal of gingival tissue overlying the
implant cover screw is 1-2 W. The advantages of using
a diode laser to perform this procedure are easier
visual access to the cover screw due to hemostasis and
the production of the protective coagulum to aid in
healing and patient comfort [42].
Peri-implantitis is described as one of the most
important causes of implant loss and is not restricted
to any one type of implant design or construction [43,
44]. It can be recognized as a rapidly progressive
failure of osseo-integration [45], in which the
production of bacterial toxins leads to inflammatory
change and bone loss [46]. Always, an assessment must
be made to determine the causative factors associated
with the condition (infection, implant overloading,
occlusion and other local, systemic and life-style
factors), to establish whether the implant can be saved
[42]. Curettage of granulation tissue is especially
important. Research has shown that a diode laser can
be used to perform the procedure with the added
bonus of disinfecting the treated area. Use of
appropriate coolant (eg. water spray) is needed to
avoid any detrimental heat effects to the surrounding
tissues [42, 6]. Effective power range is from 1-1.5 W
[6].
In endodontics, published papers [7, 8, 9] indicate the
effectiveness of the diode laser root canal treatment
(disinfection of the root canal), with slightly inferior
bactericidal performance against Enterococcus faecalis
when compared to a solid-state NIR Nd:YAG laser
system [9]. The fine diameters of optic fibers (200-320
µm) enable effective delivery of laser light to the root
canal to help with reduction of bacterial
contamination. The antibacterial effect observed
reaches over 1 mm deep into the dentin [9], surpassing
the effective range of chemical disinfectants, such as
NaOCl and displaying moderate effectiveness against
Enterococcus faecalis even in the deeper layers of dentin.
The procedure can be carried out by drying the root
canal with sterile paper tips enlarging the root canal
opening up to ISO 30. After measuring the canal
depth, the optic fiber should be inserted in the
prepared root canal down to the apex - in no case
further. The optic fiber is then led in slow, circular,
spiral-forming movements from the apical to the
coronal part, while the laser is activated. The
procedure should be repeated four times for five
seconds. Be cautious to always keep the fiber-optic
beam delivery tip moving when the laser is activated to
avoid excessive temperature rise on the tooth surface,
which can be detrimental to the tissues surrounding
the tooth. If necessary, repeat the laser treatment after
three to seven days, but not more than twice in total.
The power should be set in the range of 1-1.5 W [9,
47].
Teeth Whitening using the 810 nm Dental Diode
Laser
Teeth whitening procedures continue to grow in
popularity due to the increased desire for whiter teeth
with increasing number of articles being published on
the subject in the popular press and on television in
regular intervals. This has resulted in renewed interest
from the dental profession in the process of teeth
whitening, as the procedure itself is relatively simple
and non-invasive to carry out. Current bleaching
systems are based primarily on hydrogen peroxide
(HP) or carbamide peroxide (CP). These bleaching
systems usually exist in a form of a gel which is applied
on the tooth surface and activated via light, for
example. Activation of HP causes formation of free
radical ions, which immediately seek available targets
to react with. Long-chained molecules that "stain" the
tooth react with the free radicals, altering the optical
structure of the molecule and creating a different
optical structure. The stain on the tooth surface
disappears, or the large molecules become virtually
dissociated into smaller, shorter chained molecules,
giving the tooth surface a brighter appearance. 810 nm
laser light also generates heat on the tooth surface. In
order to prevent excessive conduction of heat to the
pulp and avoid pulpal necrosis, proper laser power
must be used and according to the recently published
research, an up to 2 W setting should be well within
safety margins with regard to the pulp tissue as well as
being high enough to accelerate the bleaching process
by causing the breakdown of the HP gel to reactive
free radicals that penetrate the tooth to cause the
Versatility of an 810 nm Diode Laser in Dentistry: An Overview
8
oxidation of stain molecules within the tooth structure
[10]. One thing to keep in mind with regard to the
parameters in the aforementioned study [10] is the fact
that no spot size was mentioned, making energy
density (fluence) impossible to calculate. Therefore
manufacturer's instructions should be carefully
examined with regard to the proper spot size and
power settings when performing the procedure.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, research has proven that the 810 nm is
the premier wavelength available in today's dental
diode laser systems when considering the versatility of
the system. It can be used for a variety of procedures
which are routinely carried out in a modern dental
practice, including a multitude of soft tissue
procedures, such as soft tissue surgery, periodontal
therapy as well as being an efficient tool for use in
implantology, endodontics and tooth whitening. When
compared to "classical" dental techniques, the 810 nm
dental laser offers distinctive advantages, such as the
ability to cut, coagulate, ablate or vaporize target tissue
elements, enabling dry-field surgery through the sealing
of small blood vessels (hemostasis), disinfection of the
tissue, reduced post-operative edema (through the
sealing of small lymphatic vessels) and decreased
amount of scarring, contributing to faster and more
effective treatment resulting in improved treatment
outcome and increased patient comfort and
satisfaction.
The main limitation of the 810 nm diode laser is its
lack of ability to perform hard tissue procedures (e.g.
cavity preparation, bone cutting). The currently
optimal solution for such procedures appears to lie in
the use of an 2940 nm Er:YAG laser. Additionally, the
current technology limits the available peak powers
when compared to solid-state lasers, such as the solid
crystal Nd:YAG laser. The inherent CW emission
mode of the diode lasers means that peak powers
cannot be used as effectively as is the case with
Nd:YAG lasers, which can have an inherent pulsed
emission mode and have a wide variety of available
pulse widths. The solid crystal Nd:YAG laser has a
special position among soft tissue lasers. It is capable
to deliver energy in short bursts with approximately
1000 times higher intensities compared to those of
diode lasers. In addition, the Nd:YAG laser
wavelength has the most homogeneous (2 to 3 mm)
penetration into the oral tissue. For this reason, the
combination of solid state lasers such as an 1064 nm
Nd:YAG and an 2940 nm Er:YAG might represent a
nearly optimal choice when considering the spectra of
possible soft and hard tissue treatment options and the
efficiency and safety with which the procedures can be
performed. When the Nd:YAG laser is incorporated
within a solid crystal Er:YAG laser system, the cost of
this additional solid crystal Nd:YAG laser wavelength
is not very high. However, when considering buying
only a single soft tissue laser, then an 810 diode laser
may be the second best choice due to its lower price
and smaller size. If the clinician's main use for the laser
system lies in soft tissue procedures then the 810 nm
dental diode laser undoubtedly represents a worthwhile
investment.
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