LASERS IN PROSTHODONTICS

Laser treatment in periodontal and oral surgery and in other disciplines in dentistry has replaced many traditional electrosurgical and scalpel procedures and is beginning to replace the dental handpiece. The successful construction of removable full and partial dentures mainly depends on the preoperative evaluation of the supporting hard and soft tissue structures and their proper preparation. Lasers may now be used to perform most preprosthetic surgeries. These procedures include hard and soft tissue tuberosity reduction, torus removal, treatment of unsuitable residual ridges including undercut and irregularly resorbed ridges, treatment of unsupported soft tissues, and other hard and soft tissue abnormalities. Stability, retention, function, and esthetics of removable prostheses may be enhanced by proper laser manipulation of the soft tissues and underlying osseous structure.