FDI World Dental Congress

The FDI World Dental Congress commenced its main programme today.

One of the topics presented this morning was Advancing Dentistry with Advancing Technology. It discussed the latest uses of laser technology in dentistry:

1. Calculus (tartar) Detection
2. Hardening of tooth surface to prevent tooth decay
3. Repair of initial decay
4. Laser induced analgesia which could possibly replace pain-killers
5. Whitening tough stains e.g. tetracycline stains
6. Root Canal disinfection
7. Coating tooth surface

The Er:YAG laser is the most used dental laser. With the laser, there is no need for the use of the dental motor and the bur. In a research done in Germany, 83% of the patients in this study liked the laser compared with the bur and 88% of the patients in this same study expressed that they would do laser treatment in future.

Currently, the are about 400 practices in Australia that are equipped with lasers. There is still some way to go before lasers are accepted by Singapore patients and become mainstream here.