Abstract
Although dental lasers are increasingly available in clinical practice, many clinicians remain uncertain about their appropriate indications and practical value. Educational material often focuses on device physics and capabilities rather than real clinical decision-making. This lecture aims to provide a balanced, evidence-guided perspective on the everyday use of lasers in dentistry.
Through a series of representative clinical cases, the presentation will illustrate situations in which laser application can enhance treatment efficiency, optimize soft-tissue management, and improve patient comfort. Clinical examples will include soft-tissue surgery, laser-assisted restorative procedures, adjunctive periodontal therapy, implant-related interventions including peri-implantitis management, laser-assisted endodontic procedures, veneer debonding, tooth bleaching, and photobiomodulation for temporomandibular disorders and symptomatic oral mucosal lesions. Conventional treatment approaches will be discussed alongside each application to clarify relative advantages, limitations, and realistic clinical expectations.
Particular emphasis will be placed on matching wavelength selection to tissue characteristics and treatment objectives, while also identifying scenarios where laser use offers minimal clinical benefit. The goal is to provide clinicians with a practical framework for integrating laser technology into daily practice in a predictable and responsible manner.
Learning Objectives
- Identify common clinical situations in which dental lasers can improve treatment efficiency, soft-tissue management, and patient comfort in everyday practice.
- Differentiate the appropriate clinical indications for laser use in procedures including soft-tissue surgery, periodontal therapy, implant-related treatments, restorative procedures, endodontic applications, and photobiomodulation.
- Select appropriate laser wavelengths and treatment approaches based on tissue characteristics and clinical objectives.
- Recognize the limitations of laser use and determine when conventional treatment methods remain the preferred option.
- Integrate laser technology into routine dental workflows in a predictable and clinically responsible manner.
