BRANCHES
South Australia
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Laser Treatment in Dentistry | Date Posted: 12/1/2001
| Question
Will laser treatment mean I don't have to have the drill?
| Answer
The ADA is waiting for further research to be conducted before it formulates its policy on the use of laser treatment in dentistry.
Laser treatment is relatively new in dentistry and there are not many dentists in Australia who use this technique. Presently, its uses are normally restricted to soft-tissue procedures and the whitening or desensitising of some teeth. It remains to be seen whether laser treatment will have any more than a small place in cutting hard tissues such as teeth in the foreseeable future.
Patients should be wary of testimonials and media reports that imply drill-free, injection-free dentistry with lasers. Many of these procedures can be carried out equally as painlessly with existing technology. Although lasers remove tooth coloured filling materials easily, they are not recommended for the removal of old amalgam fillings because of workplace health issues with mercury vapour.
The ADA views the development of laser treatment in dentistry as promising. However, the ADA only considers these products to be useful for the removal of initial tooth decay and preparation of cavities in small to moderate-sized lesions in adult patients. The ADA is cautiously optimistic that future research will demonstrate that laser systems may prove useful for other restorative procedures involving deep cavities (i.e., hard tissue procedures close to the pulp chamber), in children, and for the removal of existing fillings.
The ADA is aware of laser systems under evaluation and believes laser technology to be a promising and rapidly changing field in dentistry. The ADA will review any relevant new information on the safety and clinical application of these evolving technologies as it becomes available.
|
More questions in this category:
Will laser treatment mean I don't have to have the drill?
I want to find out which dentists use laser treatment — can you help me?
|
HOTLINKS
Find A Dentist
Frequently Asked Questions
Journal
Fluoride Now
Volunteers
Positions Vacant
The ADA and the Local Organising Committee invite all associated with dentistry to participate in the Australian Dental Congress and Exhibition in Perth.
Mark the dates in your diaries 12-15 March 2009
Dental Health Week is a community awareness program coordinated and funded by the ADA. In 2008 the ADA is leading a campaign to target 30-50 year olds and has developed a range of Fact Sheets on oral health care. August 4 - 10 is Dental Health Week
Click here for previous Dental Health Week material.
|
Mouthguard Awareness |
The ADA is once again conducting a Mouthguard Awareness campaign in 2008.
> Read More
On the 23rd July 2007 the ADA wrote to the major political parties seeking their policies on dental health issues. Click here to review the ADA Inc Report Card on Dental Health Policies Election 07 (PDF 122 KB)
As part of a community campaign to promote good oral health care for babies and toddlers the ADA has developed oral hygiene tips for parents and carers of young children.
> Read More
Click here for information on the ADA Awards for Excellence in Dental Journalism
|