Think, instead, of the lasers used around us everyday, such as those found in the barcode scanners at the grocery store or those that make CD music possible. Lasers deliver energy in the form of light. In dentistry, these targets can be enamel, decay, gum tissue, or whitening enhancers. Each one absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting other wavelengths. No measurable effect is seen beyond the intended target site.
Lasers are very specific in regard to the wavelength produced.
This means that there must be a different laser for each type of procedure that you want to complete. There is little or no sound associated with laser treatment, a pleasant treat for the dental patient who has experienced the whine of the dental drill. As technology advances, we hope to see lasers which can be used for several related treatments combined into one convenient machine. Both have the ability to remove decay within a tooth, and prepare the surrounding enamel for bonded fillings. The need for anesthesia is greatly reduced or eliminated over the traditional methods.