Current status of Er:YAG laser in periodontal surgery

Lasers have numerous advantageous tissue interactions such as ablation or vaporization, hemostasis, bacterial killing, as well as biological effects, which induce various beneficial therapeutic effects and biological responses in the tissues. Thus, lasers are considered an effective and suitable device for treating a variety of inflammatory and infectious conditions of periodontal disease. Among various laser systems, the Er:YAG laser, which can be effectively and safely used in both soft and hard tissues with minimal thermal side effects, has been attracting much attention in periodontal therapy. This laser can effectively and precisely debride the diseased root surface including calculus removal, ablate diseased connective tissues within the bone defects, and stimulate the irradiated surrounding periodontal tissues during surgery, resulting in favorable wound healing as well as regeneration of periodontal tissues. The safe and effective performance of Er:YAG laser-assisted periodontal surgery has been reported with comparable and occasionally superior clinical outcomes compared to conventional surgery. This article explains the characteristics of the Er:YAG laser and introduces its applications in periodontal surgery including conventional flap surgery, regenerative surgery, and flapless surgery, based on scientific evidence from currently available basic and clinical studies as well as cases reports.