Measurement of Light Energy Transmission Through Dental Hard Tissue at 450 nm, 650 nm, 810 nm, and 980 nm

This study, titled “Quantifying light energy from 450 nm, 650 nm, 810 nm, and 980 nm wavelength lasers delivered through dental hard tissue” (Lasers in Dental Science, 2022), investigated ex vivo how much light energy from four laser wavelengths penetrates dental crowns to reach the pulp, using 30 extracted human teeth (incisors, premolars, molars).

At 0.5 W for 10 s (5 J total), results showed light transmission strongly depended on wavelength and crown thickness (P < 0.05); tooth type only significantly affected the 450 nm wavelength.

Measured absorption coefficients (µ) were approximately: 980 nm ≈ 2.55 cm⁻¹, 810 nm ≈ 2.45 cm⁻¹, 650 nm ≈ 1.87 cm⁻¹, and 450 nm ≈ 5.42 cm⁻¹ (±10%).

The study concludes that substantial attenuation by hard tissue should be considered in clinical practice to ensure sufficient light energy reaches the pulp for effective photobiomodulation.

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Thermal damage and excision time of micro and super pulsed diode lasers: A comparative ex vivo analysis

In this research, pig‐tongue specimens were excised using either a scalpel (control), micro‑pulsed, or super‑pulsed 940 nm diode lasers to assess thermal damage and cutting efficiency. No laser group showed deeper thermal penetration differences, although the micro‑pulsed setting G3 produced significantly smaller damage areas than some others. Excision times for the super‑pulsed laser were as fast as the scalpel and faster than all micro‑pulsed modes It concluded that super‑pulsed diode lasers, with proper settings, match scalpel speed and reduce collateral tissue damage, offering reliable surgical outcomes.

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The Blue Wavelengths in Laser Dentistry

The article reviews current literature on the application of blue diode lasers (445–450 nm) in dental procedures. These lasers show strong absorption in pigmented tissues like hemoglobin and melanin but low absorption in water, providing high cutting efficiency and tissue selectivity. Clinical applications include soft tissue surgeries, bacterial decontamination, and aesthetic treatments such as whitening. However, due to their intense absorption characteristics, careful power control is necessary to prevent overheating and tissue damage. The review underscores the promising potential of blue lasers in dentistry and calls for more clinical studies to establish their safety and effectiveness.

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Non-Ablative Gingival Depigmentation Diode Laser 450 nm

This article presents a clinical case using a 450 nm diode laser to treat gingival melanin pigmentation. The laser’s high melanin absorption enables precise, non-ablative removal of dark pigmentation on the gums. The patient reported no pain, bleeding, or swelling, and healing was fast with excellent cosmetic results. After three months, no recurrence was observed, confirming both efficacy and safety. This treatment offers a minimally invasive alternative for improving smile aesthetics.

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Can Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT)Enhance the Endodontic Treatment?

The study aimed to evaluate scientific literature on using different photosensitizers (PSs) for bacterial reduction in root canal treatment, particularly against Enterococcus faecalis. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched with relevant keywords from 2000 to 2015. It was concluded that antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) should be used alongside conventional mechanical debridement and irrigants for effective bacterial elimination. However, the success rate of aPDT depends on factors like the type of PS, laser output power, irradiation time, pre-irradiation time, and type of tips used.

 


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