Er:YAG laser regarding its tissue interactions and future in dentistry

Abstract

Background: The advantage of laser use in medicine has been exciting and remarkable since its introduction in the 1960s. Several medical specialties use lasers in their daily practice; the excitement of this new technology has also reached dentistry, where over the past few years, the industry has developed lasers for intraoral use and has marketed them heavily, often relying on anecdotal evidence to support their claims of superior results with the use of lasers over conventional surgical treatment. Aim of Study: The study aimed to survey the attitude of dentists about laser and its interactions with tissue giving a near vision on the future of laser devices and its market in Egypt. Materials and Methods: A study carried on 15 dentists and they asked to answer a questionnaire of 22 questions about laser. Results: Regarding the question asked about knowing the dentists who have laser devices at their clinics in Egypt, all answered that they know 1–5 dentists only. Conclusion: Dentists have no enough motivation as they think that laser device in comparison with its limited uses in dental clinic is expensive and also spare parts are hard to gain or not available.