Abstract:

Developments in science and technology include the use of laser as an auxiliary device in treating oral diseases. Nd: YAG laser is convenient and safe to use. Nd: YAG laser irradiation leaves no scabby area on the wound surface, causes a mild reaction postoperation, and promotes high comfort. Therefore, this treatment has attracted increasing attention in the clinical setting. This review enumerates the applications of water-cooled pulsed Nd: YAG laser in hard and soft tissues in oral medicine. Nd: YAG laser in hard tissues can be applied in cavity preparation, acid etching, root canal preparation and sterilization, and dentin desensitization therapy. Meanwhile, the applications of this laser in soft tissues include adjunctive therapy in basic periodontitis treatment, gingival aesthetic treatment, and resection. This review suggests the importance of Nd: YAG laser as anauxiliary device in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases.

Key words: Nd: YAG laser, treatment, periodontitis, scaling and root planning, epulis, canalsterilization