Regenerative periodontal surgical procedures attempt to restore lost periodontal structure and functional attachment through the regeneration of cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. Although meticulous debridement using surgical instrumentation reduces the bacterial burden, it fails to kill the periopathogens. To overcome this shortcoming, the development of alternative adjunctive or exclusive antibacterial therapeutic strategies, therefore, becomes important in the evolution of methods to control microbial growth in the oral cavity. The following case report explores the use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as an adjunct to regenerative periodontal therapy for the management of intrabony defects which was evaluated over a period of 6 months.

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Introduction: Conventional chemomechanical debridement (CMD) of deciduous root canals can significantly reduce the intracanal bacterial load but cannot assure predictable disinfection due to the inherent anatomical complexities. Newer methods are thus being employed to enhance the efficacy of pediatric endodontic disinfection, and the use of laser technology is at the forefront of this endeavor. Aim: The aim is to assess the efficacy of diode laser-assisted disinfection in comparison to conventional sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) based CMD in deciduous root canals. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 patients aged 5–8 years of both genders were selected. Local anesthesia was administered and rubber dam isolation achieved. Access opening was done and the roof of the pulp chamber was removed. A sterile paper point compatible with the anatomic diameter of the canal was introduced and left in place for 30 s ( first sample) which was then transferred into an Eppendorf tube containing reduced transport fluid medium. CMD was performed up to 25 number K-file with intermittent 3% NaOCl irrigation. Post-CMD, sterile number 25 paper points were introduced as above (second sample). Thereafter, an 810 nm diode laser (1W, CW) with a specific endodontic E-200 tip was introduced into the root canals 2 mm short of the radiographic apex and was gently withdrawn in a helical zigzag motion. Another sample was then taken using a sterile No. 25 paper point (third sample) and transported to the microbiological laboratory for culture. Results: The mean reduction in colony forming units postdiode laser application was seen to be 100% when compared to 98.46% reduction after CMD with 3% NaOCl. Conclusion: An 810 nm diode laser can be used as an effective adjunct to conventional methods of deciduous root canal disinfection.

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Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of laser fluorescence (LF)-based diagnostic device for monitoring the effect of aluminum gallium arsenide (Al Ga As) laser on noncavitated enamel lesions. Background: Dental caries is a reversible disease, and scope of reversing the carious lesion is increased if it is diagnosed before there is surface cavitation. Variegated remineralization strategies including remineralizing pastes and different lasers have been explored. The efficacy of this surface treatment requires a valid and a reliable assessment tool. LF is one such adjunct to traditional methods of caries detection. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five intact freshly extracted molars were sectioned mesiodistally so as to obtain fifty samples which were coated with nail varnish so that 3 mm × 3 mm of windows are created to maintain uniformity. All sample surfaces were evaluated with LF device so as to obtain the baseline values, these values served as control. All the samples were then acid etched by 30% phosphoric acid for 20 s to simulate surface demineralization. The LF device was used to record the values of demineralized samples. The surfaces of the teeth were then irradiated with Al Ga As laser of 3.5 W for 30 s. The LF device was then used to record the reading. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using paired t-test to compare control and test groups and calculation of the mean. Results: The demineralized surfaces have recorded statistically significant LF values greater than the untreated control sample values. Post laser irradiation, there is fall of the LF values and these values are closer to that of control. Conclusion: Laser fluorescence can be used as a tool to detect demineralization in situ and monitor changes in enamel surface during demineralization and remineralization phases. Surface treatment with laser irradiation gave values closer to that of control and this does indicate that laser irradiation brings about surface alteration as evaluated by laser fluorescence.

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The digital smile design (DSD) is a software-based system which has been recently introduced in the field of dentistry. It is a precise and efficient method for esthetic rehabilitation as it allows the clinician to visualize and estimate discrepancy of orofacial and dentogingival tissues. This case report presents an interdisciplinary treatment approach for esthetic correction of a 20-year-old female patient who presented with a chief complaint of gummy smile. Through the application of digital smile designing principle, the necessary corrections for achieving a harmonic smile were accurately determined. Wax-up of the master cast was done accordingly. Gingival portion of the master cast was duplicated in clear acrylic resin. This temporary stent guided the gingival contouring which was done using soft-tissue diode laser. Diode laser was found to be safe and useful for soft-tissue management as it ablates soft tissues very precisely, and the wound healing is more favorable. We conclude that the DSD in combination with diode laser seems to be a useful tool to achieve a satisfactory esthetic result, especially in the management of esthetically demanding cases of gummy smile.

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The laser is a less-invasive method compared with the conventional techniques because it produces little cell destruction and less bleeding due to its hemostatic properties and requires the patient a reduced number of sessions and less chairside time for the most applications.

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Patient's desire for natural-appearing tooth replacements has prompted the development of various techniques designed to achieve a natural appearance of the soft tissues. Specifically, use of the ovate pontic is among the most versatile and effective means for obtaining the desired results. Creating a gingival profile of an ovate pontic site allows the cervical third of the pontic to merge with the surrounding tissues thereby making it appear to have emerged from the alveolar ridge. Use of lasers offer several advantages over conventional procedures for preparation of ovate pontic site by providing sterile area, hemostasis, precise soft tissue contouring, less time consumption, and reduced postoperative pain. This report presents the use of diode laser in creating a gingival profile in a 43-year-old male patient for an ovate pontic design of a fixed partial denture prosthesis.

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Oral squamous papilloma is a benign proliferation of the stratified squamous epithelium, which results in a papillary or verrucous exophytic mass induced by human papillomavirus. These oral mucosal lesions are usually symptomless and have little progression. Laser-assisted surgery is rampant nowadays with several bonuses including rapid hemostasis, being free of sutures, wound sterility, and negligible postoperative pain and edema. The objective of this report is to present a giant squamous papilloma over tongue in a pediatric patient. The lesion was excised with the help of a diode laser and the healing was uneventful in follow-up visit after 1 month. Giant squamous papillomas can rarely be found in children's oral cavity and laser can be used by clinicians to treat these kinds of lesions. It should be considered as an alternative to conventional surgery.

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