Dentaltown May 2016 - (Page 52)

periodontics feature The Dental Laser's Role in Managing Periodontal Disease by Samuel B. Low, DDS, MS, MEd Dr. Samuel Low is professor emeritus at the University of Florida, and an associate faculty and board member of the Pankey Institute. Low is also a board member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry and past president of the American Academy of Periodontology. He was selected Dentist of the Year by the Florida Dental Association and received the Gordon Christensen Lecturer Recognition Award. Fig. 1 Introduction Lasers in the healthcare industry have seen a dramatic increase in the past few years, from their commonplace use in ophthalmology, dermatology and plastic surgery. Patients have adopted the medical application branding as safe and effective. In addition, the increased trend of microinvasive procedures has led to the laser's acceptance. Many patients desire quick procedures with the expectation of uneventful healing and minimal disruption in their lives.1 The utilization of lasers in the dental profession is increasing because of improved training and education. Enhanced, dependable technology with these devices creates a user-friendly environment with procedural presets and accompanying graphics, and the affordability has resulted in increasing accessibility.2 Along with acceptance, there has been a broadening of laser dental indications, including procedures for direct restorative therapy and, indirectly, to enhance restorative dentistry. While consideration for lasers in periodontal management has been suggested for several years, its exact role has been complicated and confused until recently. Periodontal disease Dental laser wavelength seeking periodontal tissue target 52 MAY 2016 // dentaltown.com For decades, the focus on managing periodontal disease has primarily been from an antimicrobial direction. Inclusion into periodontal therapy from a nonsurgical vein has centered on mechanical and chemical warfare against the primary etiology, such as the microbial flora. And while we wouldn't discount bacterial pathogens as the primary stimulus, the role of the host response in the form of a chronic inflammatory reaction has balanced out the pathogenesis story. A new paradigm is evolving to include anti-infl ammatory and host modulation systems to manage the periodontal patient.3 Any new device or protocol should incorporate both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory concepts. Current systems to manage periodontal disease have improved significantly, using the chemical and mechanical approach. We now have at our disposal the augmentation materials to engender regeneration through wound healing.4 However, these systems have been limited in the past because of factors such as high cost of use and patient perception of related outcomes or potential discomfort. Dental laser wavelengths and respective tissue targets Lasers have the ability to affect tissue depending on the nature of the target. By using a coherent light beam, energy is directed through an electromagnetic wave, generally through a process noted as ablation (vaporization). This thermal radiation is http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown May 2016

On Dentaltown.com
HOWARD SPEAKS: Talking Monkeys, Reviews Gone Wild, and Valuable Margins
PROFESSIONAL COURTESY: A 5-Star Future?
Continuing Education Update
Industry News
Special-Needs Patients
3Shape TRIOS 3
The ABCs of Dental Ethics
Townie Meeting Recap
Is It Time to Be Conservative, or Progressive?
Balancing the Scale(r)s
A Dope Does a Startup
The Dental Laser’s Role in Managing Periodontal Disease
Do Good: A WHALE OF AN EFFORT
Do Good: HOW SMILES ON WINGS TOOK FLIGHT
Do Good: SERVING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED
Do Good: BE A HERO, HONOR A HERO
Do Good: THIS WE’LL DEFEND
Do Good: PAYING IT FORWARD
Do Good: A BEACH IN WESTERN KENYA
Do Good: A GIANT EFFORT: HENRY SCHEIN CARES
Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?
Poll
New Products
Ad Index
You Should Know
Practice Solutions: Tokuyama Dental
Product Profi le: Planmeca
CONTINUING EDUCATION: Mill In or Send Out?
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown May 2016