Spectral And Image Guided Laser Ablation For Dental Applications

Although there has been progress in reducing the incidence of dental decay, dental caries remains a significant health problem and a new approach towards the treatment of dental caries with an emphasis on early detection and minimal intervention would be a significant step forward. Systems that can rapidly and selectively remove caries and/or composite from tooth surfaces while minimizing the inadvertent removal of healthy tooth structure would be a significant improvement over current methods. These fundamental studies will significantly advance our overall knowledge of laser-tissue interactions and facilitate the development of safer and more efficient laser systems for the removal of dental caries and restorative materials.