Aim: This study aims to assess the attitude, awareness, and knowledge of the dental professionals regarding dental lasers in India. Materials and Methods: This survey was conducted at the 69^th Indian Dental Conference, 2016, after approval from the organizing committee. Three-hundred copies of the questionnaire were distributed among the practitioners attending the conference. The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions. The first part of the questionnaire was about dental laser education and the second part was about the knowledge of dental laser applications. The second part was divided into six subsections. Each section consisted of several items related to the uses of laser in five different dental specialties in addition to a section on laser protection. Results: Only 21% of the respondents had received any formal training before the use of lasers. Most of the participants had insufficient knowledge regarding the applications of laser in dentistry. Students' knowledge of the uses of dental laser in periodontics, oral surgery, and operative dentistry was better than their knowledge in pediatric dentistry, orthodontic, and endodontics. Conclusion: The results of this survey suggest that there is a need to educate and train dental professionals regarding dental lasers to utilize this new technology to its full potential in future.

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Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) refers to irradiation with red-beam or near-infrared lasers that are typically of narrow spectral width to pathology to reduce inflammation, pain, and promote tissue regeneration. Lasers have varied and growing applications in the field of medicine. This technology has attracted major interest in the field of tissue engineering and healing. The goal of this review is to present the biological action of LLLT on various growth factors involved in oral healing. This article highlights the series of photochemical reactions, mechanism of action, and synthesis of several cytokines. Furthermore, it elucidates the cellular responses to LLLT providing insight into the current strategies that promote healing. This review was based on electronic search of scientific papers from 2000 to 2017 which was accomplished using PubMed and MEDLINE search engines to include relevant scientific citations from the peer-reviewed journals published in English. A total of 68 articles were included, of which 23 were excluded based on the exclusion criteria. The remaining 45 articles were evaluated, and specific information was retrieved from relevant 22 articles. The 22 articles included review articles and in vivo and in vitro studies that discussed in detail the effect of lasers on various growth factors. LLLT has a biomodulating effect on oral healing. LLLT influences the release of chemical mediators, reduces the duration of inflammation, and consequently promotes tissue repair. LLLT has therapeutic actions on the growth factors involved in oral healing and hence accelerates healing.

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Ankyloglossia is defined as a condition in which the tip of the tongue cannot be protruded beyond the lower incisor teeth because of a short lingual frenulum. The prevalence of ankyloglossia is 4.8%. An unusually short lingual frenum results in complications in speech, oral hygiene, lingual recession, etc. To have a healthy lifestyle, treatment becomes necessary. Lingual frenectomy is the treatment of choice. With the advent of lasers, the treatment has become simple, precise, and less discomfort compared to the conventional. The present case report deals with the treatment of ankyloglossia using 980 nm diode laser.

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Irritation fibroma is the most common tumor-like and submucosal reactive lesion in the oral cavity that composed of fibrous or connective tissue causing by traumatic irritants such as calculi, foreign bodies, chronic biting, overhanging margin restoration, sharp spicules of bones, and overextended borders of appliances. It is a well-defined lesion, slow in growth, and can occur in any age group but is more prevalent in the third, fourth, and fifth decades with a female predilection. The tumor may be small or may increase to several centimeters in diameter. The tumor may become irritated and inflamed and sometimes may even show ulcers, which is superficial in nature. The lesions are nonsymptomatic, and the patient usually reports for treatment due to the problem and discomfort during mastication. The fibroma appears as a nodular growth mainly on the buccal mucosa along the occlusal plane. Other common sites are the gingiva, palate, lips, and the tongue. The management of this reactive lesion can be done through conservative surgical approach.

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The use of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for conventional bleaching was introduced way back in 1884. Today bleaching products are often found in the form of gels containing various concentrations of carbamide peroxide and H₂O₂depending on the application and methods. Laser-assisted tooth bleaching has proven faster and efficient results. This case report emphasizes on the efficacy of diode laser for tooth bleaching. Opalescent^® (Potassium nitrate and fluoride) was used as a bleaching gel. Diode laser (810 nm) was used to irradiate the tooth surfaces and microabrasion was carried out. Visible reduction in tooth discoloration was seen after a period of 3 weeks. On the basis of the results obtained, diode laser can be considered as an efficient and reliable treatment modality compared to conventional bleaching.

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Ankyloglossia or tongue tie is characterized by short lingual frenum restricting tongue movement which causes feeding difficulties and speech problems. Such condition can be treated by frenectomy using scalpel, laser, and electrocautery. The present case reports ankyloglossia in an 11-year-old female patient treated with diode laser and followed up without any complications.

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Aim: The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to compare the clinical efficacy of diode laser and topical 0.4% stannous fluoride (SnF₂) gel in the management of dentinal hypersensitivity (DH). Materials and Methods: A total of 8 patients contributing 200 teeth with DH were enrolled in the study. The sensitive teeth were randomly allocated into 4 groups of 50 each: Group I teeth were treated with 0.4% SnF₂ only; Group II with 0.4% SnF₂ and diode laser irradiation in continuous, noncontact mode; Group III with diode laser only in continuous, noncontact mode; and Group IV with SnF₂ and diode laser in continuous, contact mode. Pain/sensitivity was recorded using the visual analog scale before treatment, 10 min after treatment and 7, 15, and 30 days posttherapy.Results: All the groups showed significant reduction in DH. However, the use of both 0.4% SnF₂ and diode laser in contact and noncontact mode showed statistically significant reduction in sensitivity (P < 0.001) when compared to SnF₂ gel and diode laser alone. Conclusion: The adjunctive use of diode laser with SnF₂ appears to be a promising treatment alternative in alleviating sensitivity.

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