Laser interaction with dental soft tissues: What do we know from our years of applied scientific research?

A variety of lasers are used for many oral soft tissue procedures. Each dental laser has specific parameters giving a wide range of operation. Lasers such as the carbon dioxide, argon and diode operate in continuous wave, while Nd:YAG, Er:YAG, Ho:YAG, and Er,Cr:YSGG are free-running pulsed lasers with high peak power and very short pulse duration. Laser tissue interaction is basically a photothermal effect and the biologic effect is dependent on the laser operating parameters, such as emission wavelength, power, emission mode, pulse duration, energy/pulse, energy density, duration of exposure, total energy and tissue characteristics. This article reviews current knowledge of laser parameters, laser-tissue interaction and applied preclinical and clinical safety and effectiveness scientific support.