Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860

Lasers in aesthetic dentistry

Timothy C. Adams, DDSa, Peter K. Pang, DDSb,*
a
Las Vegas Institute, 9501 Hillwood Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89134, USA
b
Private Practice, 554 Third Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476, USA

Combining the use of lasers with aesthetic dentistry was a mere dream
more than 20 years ago. Maiman’s [1] invention of the ruby laser over 40
years ago set the stage. In the years following their introduction, there was
a steady increase in the use of lasers in medicine. As early as 1963,
dermatologists were removing malignant tissue with carbon dioxide (CO2)
lasers, and in 1964 ophthalmologists were using ruby lasers for minor
surgery of the eye [2]. According to Myers [3], researchers have looked at
a number of possibilities in the electromagnetic spectrum pertaining to
lasers. They have found that there are certain wavelengths that are dental
specific. By the mid-1990s, the size of the instrument decreased and the ease
of use and predictability became more consistent. The cost was reduced
dramatically so that today, laser use for aesthetic dentistry is more
prevalent.
‘‘Aesthetic’’ or ‘‘cosmetic’’ dentistry is none other than restorative
general dentistry completed to a level that simply makes every attempt to
mimic a natural look. The goal is to produce invisible restorations that
provide proper form and function to achieve tissue biocompatibility. Of
course, gold and mercury amalgam fillings fulfill the functional aspect, but
this article necessarily focuses on ‘‘tooth-colored’’ treatments that mimic
natural tooth structure. This treatment brings another dimension to
restorative dentistry—that of providing nearly invisible restorations. For
purposes of clarity, the term aesthetics is used in the text; however, in
common practice, cosmetic and aesthetic are interchangeable, as is the
optional spelling of esthetic.
Often, aesthetic dental procedures are not optional but are necessary and
restorative. The patient’s concern with short, chipped teeth usually is an
occlusal issue that should be addressed and managed with the restorative
treatment plan. Another common patient concern is a stained, discolored

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: DrPang@SonomaCosmeticDentist.com (P.K. Pang).

0011-8532/04/$ - see front matter Ó 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.cden.2004.05.010
834 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860

smile; frequently, the discoloration is due to caries or breakdown of pre-

existing restorations. Oral health instruction and dietary counseling should
be discussed when appropriate.
Some optional aesthetic dental procedures include bleaching teeth,
diastema closures, gummy smiles correction, and modifying teeth severely
discolored by tetracycline or fluorosis. In the modern dental practice, laser
technology quickly is becoming as useful as the high-speed handpiece, and
dental procedures can be accomplished with less invasive methods, a more
relaxed appointment, and less postoperative discomfort. Medical surgeons
have experienced these benefits with their treatments for decades, and dental
providers can accomplish procedures routinely and predictably with laser
technology [4].
Two separate issues appear vital for success when performing aesthetic
general dentistry. The first is achieving adequate isolation of the operative
site, including isolation from moisture contamination. Accomplishing this
goal is far easier with gingival health. Because of the inherent nature of
tooth decay and its etiology, however, the soft tissue often shows signs of
disease (eg, gingival tissue adjacent to a carious lesion can bleed easily). This
problem is controlled simply with laser technology by sealing the blood
vessels and leaving the healthy tissue intact; the caries removal then can
proceed at the same appointment time. Other procedures, when indicated,
can be accomplished at the same appointment as the restorative procedure,
offering a great advantage to the dentist and the patient [5]. These
procedures include laser gingivectomy including crown lengthening, ovate
pontic sites creation, uncovering implants and taking impressions, gingival
sculpting, and tissue management during bonding procedures.
The second point for cosmetic success is the preservation of as much
natural tooth structure as possible, and hard tissue lasers offer this
conservation and structural integrity [6]. Supragingival margins facilitate
oral hygiene, and the natural colors are more easily mimicked when healthy
enamel remains. Traditional G.V. Black preparations no longer are relevant
with adhesive dentistry, and unsupported enamel may be bonded and rein-
forced with resins, as discussed later, enhancing the final result.
The parallels of lasers and aesthetic dentistry are similar when examining
their initial concepts and the point in time when their development could
be applied clinically with success. This relationship is especially true in the
history of bonding to tooth structure. Approximately 40 years ago, investi-
gators discovered etching and bonding to enamel [7–12]. With inadequate
materials, polymerization shrinkage, and the inability to successfully bond
to dentin, bonding popularity waxed and waned [13,14]. The late 1980s and
early 1990s saw improvement in materials and techniques that allowed
successful and predictable bonds to not only enamel but also, more impor-
tant, dentin [15–20]. Despite the earlier developmental failures and pitfalls,
bonding and laser use in clinical dentistry became a successful reality in the
last 15 years.
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Laser instruments
There are essentially five types of lasers currently in the armamentarium
for the aesthetic dental practice. This list includes argon, CO2, diode, erbium,
and pulsed Nd:YAG lasers [21].

Argon lasers
These wavelengths emit energy that is absorbed primarily by hemoglobin.
This attribute allows for precision cutting, vaporizing, hemostasis, and co-
agulation of vascular tissue in a contact or noncontact mode [22].
The use of argon in the curing of composite restorations and bonding
cements occurs at low power levels (200–500 mW) in the 514-nm range (blue
portion of the visible light electromagnetic spectrum) [23,24]. Another
application of argon lasers at this wavelength is transillumination of teeth
for the purpose of detecting tooth fractures and carious lesions [25].

Carbon dioxide lasers

CO2 lasers mainly are used for vaporizing, cutting, and coagulation of
soft tissue, which includes gross tissue debulking, frenectomies, gingivo-
plasties, gingivectomies, and biopsies [26]. Due to power and pulsed energy
limitations, these lasers are not suitable for cutting bone and tooth structure.

Diode lasers
There are two different wavelengths produced by surgical diode lasers.
One uses aluminum-gallium-arsenide to emit approximately 800-nm wave-
lengths, and the other uses indium-gallium-arsenide to emit 980-nm light
energy. These lasers are used in contact mode for rapid cutting, vaporizing,
and bacterial reduction of tissue adjacent to tooth structure [27] and used in
noncontact mode for deeper coagulation.

Erbium family of lasers

Erbium laser wavelengths are absorbed by collagen, hydroxyapatite, and
water components, which allows the lasers to cut soft tissue, tooth structure,
and bone.
There are two types of erbium lasers in dentistry today. The erbium:
yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser produces a wavelength of 2940
nm that allows it to cut teeth easily, quickly, and precisely [28]. The
erbium,chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser operates at a
wavelength of 2790 nm and has similar surgical attributes to the Er:YAG.
These lasers can be used in contact and noncontact modes. In noncontact
mode, the cut is scalpel-like, with very little hemostasis. In the contact mode,
there is the ability to perform soft tissue sculpting, with adequate hemostasis
[29].
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Nd:YAG lasers
Free-running pulsed Nd:YAG lasers in the United States are available
only in the 1064-nm wavelength. They have the same use as the diode and
argon devices; in addition, there currently are some pulsed Nd:YAG lasers
that are cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for the selective
removal of first-degree caries, with little interaction to the surrounding
healthy enamel [30,31].

Smile design
In this ever-changing world of fast-paced communication, marketing,
and shared intelligence, the appearance or looks of someone or something
can ‘‘make or break’’ the end result. Whether we peruse on-line, at the
bookstore, at our favorite clothing store, or at a new job interview, the way
that we look can have a major impact on acceptance and its end result. Plain
and simple: whether we buy or do not buy can be directly tied to how
something or someone appears. It has been well documented that looking
good can enhance social, romantic, and economic consequences and allow
an attractive person to get a better job [32]. It now is universally accepted
that looking good directly affects an individual’s self-confidence and the
image that he or she conveys. Because the face and mouth are the most
noticeable parts of the human body, it is no wonder that there is such an
increase in demand for smile and teeth makeovers in everyday dental
practices [33,34].
Moving from the ‘‘mechanical age’’ to the ‘‘adhesive age’’ in dentistry has
forced practitioners to view teeth in an entirely different context [35]. The
profession also is seeing a change in the way gingival tissue is handled: with
regard to gingival sculpting, it is seeing a move from the ‘‘steel (scalpel) age’’
to the ‘‘laser age.’’ It now is possible, thanks to lasers, to alter gingival tissue
conservatively to create a more natural, symmetric, and harmonious
appearance. This ability is critical because even with the most incredible-
looking restorations, if the gingival tissue is not taken into consideration,
then the treatment could be considered an aesthetic failure.
To fully understand the impact that lasers have had on smile design, it is
imperative to have a firm grasp on what is to be achieved. The authors have
implemented the SMILES evaluation form (Fig. 1) into their private
practices to aid them in their goal of incorporating the 10 aspects of an
aesthetic smile [36].
SMILES is an acronym that stands for size and golden proportion,
midline and canting, inclination-axial, lip line versus incisal edge of teeth,
extra hard tissue guidelines, and soft tissue conditions. The following are the
10 principles of the SMILES evaluation form:
1. The golden proportion of maxillary anterior teeth (from canine to
canine) is determined by using the laterals as a factor of 1. It is known
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Fig. 1. SMILES evaluation form used for preoperative analysis of aesthetics. (From Dickerson
WG. SMILES evaluation form. Las Vegas (NV): Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental
Studies; 1995; with permission.)

from the literature that the golden numbers are 1.6 to 1.0 to 0.6.
Applying the golden numbers to the maxillary anterior dentition makes
the central incisors 1.6  the width of the laterals and the canines 0.6 
the width of the laterals.
2. Length and width of the central incisors. The logical starting point for
any aesthetic smile is the central incisors. If the central incisors are
square or elongated, then their appearance does not reflect proper
proportions. This so-called ‘‘disproportioned appearance’’ throws off
the rest of the dental arch. The length of the central incisor is divided by
the width to obtain an ideal range of 75% to 80%, with \75% being too
long and [80% being too short.
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3. Midline and arch alignment. The midline should be represented by a

vertical line that runs down the center of the face. Even if the nose is not
straight, the midline should be centered and straight. The arch
alignment should be perpendicular to the midline or parallel with the
eyes unless the eyes are canted.
4. Axial inclination. The teeth should have a slight mesial inclination of the
vertical axis. This axial inclination is a line drawn from the gingival axis
to the center of the incisal edge (or the incisal apex when referring to the
canine). The central incisors are the straightest to this axial line, with
a gradual mesial inclination as one moves toward the first premolar.
From the first premolar distally, the axial inclination stays constant.
5. The lower lip line (versus the incisal edge) calls for the incisal edges of
the maxillary teeth to follow the lower lip line, without touching the
lower lip in a relaxed position, unless aesthetics or function mandate
contact.
6. The interproximal contact points should be close to the incisal edges of
the centrals and should gradually move cervically as one moves
posteriorly.
7. The gradation of the posterior teeth should be consistent and symmetric
as one moves in an anterior-to-posterior direction. This anterior-to-
posterior direction should see a gradual reduction in the size of the teeth.
8. When viewing the arch form, drawing a line from canine to canine
bisects the incisive papilla in about 92% of the cases.
9. Gingival symmetry. The objective is to create symmetry and contour on
both sides of the midline, with regard to the gingival height of the
corresponding teeth.
10. Gingival contour and zenith. If one draws an imaginary line from the
gingival zenith of the two maxillary canines, one finds that ideally, the
canines and centrals are at the same level, with the laterals anywhere from
1 to 2 mm shorter than both the centrals and canines.
Smile design is a personal interpretation that varies slightly geographi-
cally. Because there are some differences of opinion among different experts
within the framework of the 10 smile design principles, by following this
guideline the practitioner is assured success in smile design. Dental lasers
easily address the last 2 principles: gingival symmetry and gingival contour.

Biologic width
Bonded all-ceramic restorations have afforded the modern dentist the
ability not only to create beautiful, lifelike crowns but also to place the
margins of these crowns supragingivally in cases in which the tooth was not
previously restored with a subgingival margin. This supragingival placement
allows for an aesthetic restoration without the invasion of the periodontal
health of the tooth/teeth being restored.
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The literature is filled with reports on periodontal health, margin

placement, and the stability and health of the dentogingival unit [37–40].
It is the health of the dentogingival complex that is critical to maintain when
any type of manipulation of tooth or tissue takes place. Investigators have
gone to great lengths to describe this complex [41–45]. In summary, the
dentogingival complex extends from the crest of the alveolar bone to the
marginal gingival tissue and is composed of a connective tissue attachment,
an epithelial attachment, and a sulcular depth. Garguilo [41] reported that
the average sulcular depth measurement was 0.69 mm, the junctional
epithelial attachment was 0.97 mm, and the connective tissue attachment
was 1.07 mm (Fig. 2).
Cohen [42] defined ‘‘biologic width’’ as the sum of the connective tissue
attachment and the junctional epithelial attachments, measured from the
crest of the alveolar bone to the base of the sulcular crevice. This number
came to 2.04 mm when adding the connective tissue attachment measure-
ment of 1.07 mm and the junctional epithelial attachment measurement of
0.97 mm. Kois [44] defined the sum of the connective tissue attachment, the
junctional epithelial attachment, and the sulcular depth as the ‘‘biologic
zone.’’ This biologic zone would be approximately 3.0 mm, starting at the
crest of the alveolar bone and extending to the marginal gingival tissue. To
simplify, the biologic width is the sum of the measurements of the
connective tissue and junctional epithelial attachments (2.04 mm) and the
biologic zone is the sum of the connective tissue and junctional epithelial
attachments and the sulcular crevice measurement (2.72 mm). To simplify
the biologic zone measurement, Kois [44] suggested a measurement of

Fig. 2. A picture of the dentogingival complex with average measurements.

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3.0 mm to represent a healthy dentogingival complex. This measurement is

the minimum required to assure a healthy dentogingival complex (Fig. 3).
Encroachment on the biologic zone or biologic width results in in-
flammation and periodontal involvement, with the potential for tooth loss
due to the loss of the supporting tissue. It is imperative that the clinician
respects this important tissue during restorative therapy and tissue
manipulation for the best possible aesthetic result.

Case report 1
Examination
The patient was a 24-year-old woman with no medical concerns or
history. After examination, it was apparent that the golden proportion of
the six upper anterior teeth, the size and length on the centrals, the axial
inclinations, the gradation, the gingival symmetry, contour, and zenith were
not as aesthetically pleasing as the patient desired. The patient requested
aesthetic improvement and wished to have conservative treatment. She
wanted better-looking teeth, but could not identify exactly what was
bothering her.
The consultation offered a review of the aesthetic principles that
realistically could be achieved in a conservative manner. Minimal extension
porcelain veneers were discussed as a restorative option, but due to a number
of reasons (personal, financial, and occlusal), the treatment plan was
finalized to include conservative tissue contouring, with some slight
enameloplasty and a frenectomy. The patient gave her informed consent.

Fig. 3. Graphic depiction of a probe showing the recommended minimum periodontal tissue
that must remain to preserve health.
 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860 841

Fig. 4. Preoperative full-face smile view.

Treatment
Polyvinyl siloxane impressions and preoperative digital (Canon Rebel
300 EOS; Canon, Chesapeake, Virginia) pictures were taken for further
study (Figs. 4–8).
The patient was anesthetized and pencil marks were made to aid in the
determination of proper gingival contour, symmetry, axial inclination, and
zenith (Fig. 9). Probing depths were recorded to determine the biologic
width and how much tissue could be contoured without involving osseous
surgery. Measurements were taken on all teeth, numbers 4 through 13
facially. A periodontal probe was placed apically to the alveolar crest, and
the marginal gingival level was measured. These measurements ranged from
4 to 4.5 mm. Remembering that there exists a 3.0-mm biologic zone, the
maximum amount of tissue removal could be only 1 to 1.5 mm. Figs. 10–12
show probing to the alveolar crest; the clinician must perform this sounding
on each tooth. A diode laser (830 nm; Diodent, Hoya ConBio, Fremont,

Fig. 5. Preoperative lip smile view.

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Fig. 6. Preoperative anterior view.

Fig. 7. Preoperative right side view.

Fig. 8. Preoperative left side view.

California) with a 400-lm initiated fiber and a power setting of 0.8 W

continuous wave was used. The laser was active for 15 minutes during
the 1-hour appointment. The laser was used to mark reference spots of the
biologic zone, allowing the clinician to focus on aesthetics and serving as the
visual finishing point (Fig. 13). Proper laser precautions were taken (mask,
 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860 843

Fig. 9. Pencil marks indicate zenith of tissue.

eyewear, and high-speed suction), and lasing began with the central incisors
(Fig. 14). After the ideal symmetry, contour, and zenith were established,
the right side was completed, followed by the left side (Figs. 15 and 16). At
this time, the author (T.C. Adams) and assistant stood up in front of the
patient to view the initial result from a different perspective. A piece of floss
was used as a visual guide to determine the gingival contour and symmetry
(Fig. 17). Hydrogen peroxide was used to clean up and debride the gingival
tissue (Fig. 18). Visual examination revealed that the gingival tissue above
the laterals needed to be moved more cervically and that some additional
slight contouring on the tissue was necessary above all of the other teeth
(Figs. 19 and 20). The incisal enamel was rounded, removing sharp and
jagged edges and providing a more feminine appearance (Fig. 21). The
treatment plan also included a frenectomy to prevent any pulling of the new
location of the marginal gingival (Fig. 22). Fig. 23 shows the pretreatment
condition; Fig. 24 shows the immediate postoperative result.

Fig. 10. Probe to the crest of bone, left lateral.

844 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860

Fig. 11. Probe to crest of bone, right central.

Discussion
The before and after pictures reveal an aesthetic improvement on 6 of the
10 SMILE principles: (the golden proportion of the anterior six teeth, size
and length on the centrals, axial inclination, gradation, gingival symmetry,
gingival contour and zenith). The diode laser has excellent ability to cut
accurately and control hemostasis, yet has poor absorption by tooth
structure, thus allowing for the safe cutting in close proximity to tooth
structure. The fact that this smile makeover could be achieved conserva-
tively with a laser and some slight tooth structure contouring is very
rewarding and satisfying for the patient and the clinician. A 6-day post-
operative picture reveals excellent healing, with no complications, and the
patient was comfortable throughout the period (Fig. 25).

Fig. 12. Probe to crest of bone, right cuspid.

 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860 845

Fig. 13. The diode laser marks finishing points for soft tissue removal.

Case report 2
Examination
A 30-year-old woman who was in excellent health with a known allergy
to penicillin presented with the chief concern of discolored front teeth and
failing restorations (Figs. 26 and 27).

Treatment plan
The proposed treatment was to replace the failing composites with new
direct composite restorations using an erbium laser for tooth preparation.
Alternative treatment was porcelain veneer final restorations, not using the
laser. The patient chose the direct composites with informed consent.
An Er:YAG laser (2940 nm; OpusDent, Norwood, Massachusetts) was
used for the removal of existing discolored resin. A 1000-lm sapphire tip
was attached to the hollow wave guide and the laser was operated at 250 mJ,
15 Hz, and 3.75 W in noncontact mode with a water spray. Total prepara-
tion time was 4 minutes (Fig. 28). No anesthetic was required. Laser safety
glasses appropriate for this wavelength were used. All caries were removed
by tactile exploration and use of caries indicator stain.

Fig. 14. Diode laser ablation of tissue around centrals.

846 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860

Fig. 15. Laser ablation of tissue on right side.

Fig. 16. Laser ablation of tissue on left side.

Fig. 17. Dental floss used as guide for height of tissue contour.

Discussion
The 1000-lm tip was chosen because of the shallow depth of penetration.
Hard tissue preparations with the erbium laser are technique sensitive. In
situations that may require some anesthetic, the author (P.K. Pang)
‘‘conditions’’ or desensitizes the tooth with the laser first. This process can
 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860 847

Fig. 18. Hydrogen peroxide irrigation of debris.

be accomplished by using low power and a large noncontact tip in

a nonfocused manner. Using a water spray, the author moves the laser
beam around the tooth for 2 to 3 minutes. Following this procedure, most
treatments can proceed without anesthesia. Fig. 29 shows the postoperative
result.

Case report 3
Examination
The patient was a 33-year-old woman in excellent health. Her chief
concern was gingival hyperplasia secondary to orthodontic treatment
(Fig. 30) and a partially unerupted maxillary second molar (Fig. 31). The
treatment plan was a gingivectomy around several anterior teeth and an
operculectomy of the molar tissue using diode laser and a cosmetic mock-up
smile design to assist the orthodontist in completing the treatment.
Periodontal probing was completed, and tissue removal amounts were
calculated. Alternative instrumentation of surgical blade and electrosurge
were presented, but the patient preferred the laser and provided informed
consent.

Fig. 19. After irrigation, the tissue contour can be scrutinized. Note that the lateral incisors
need more contouring.
848 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860

Fig. 20. Gingival contouring completed.

Treatment
The biologic width was determined and marked on the tissue. A diode
laser (812 nm; Aurora, Premier Laser Systems, Irvine, California) was used
with a 400-lm quartz fiber, initiated contact tip. The power setting of 1.2 W
and 30 Hz and a pulse duration of 0.03-seconds was used for a total of 24
minutes on the anterior teeth (Fig. 32). The molar uncovering was treated
with a 600-lm fiber, initiated tip in contact mode at 1.6 W continuous wave
for 12 minutes (Fig. 33). A topical benzocaine/EMLA mixture was used for
anesthesia, and laser safety precautions were followed.

Discussion
The gingival tissue surrounding the molar was much more fibrous and
thick, so the larger, 600-lm fiber was chosen. Because this fiber provides
a greater spot size, the power required for adequate tissue interaction is
greater.

Fig. 21. Incisal edges were contoured with high-speed polishing burs. Note position of the
frenum.
 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860 849

Fig. 22. Frenectomy completed with diode laser.

Fig. 23. Preoperative view.

Fig. 24. Immediate postoperative view.

The patient reported no postoperative discomfort and was cautioned not

to irritate the sites with brushing. Fig. 34 shows the 24-hour postoperative
view of the anterior tissue. Oral hygiene was performed with a cotton-tipped
applicator and 3% hydrogen peroxide. With most procedures, normal
hygiene practices may be resumed in 4 to 7 days. Further instructions were
to avoid hard or crunchy foods for the first 3 days. Possible complications
associated with any soft tissue procedure may involve gingival sloughing,
850 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860

Fig. 25. Six-day postoperative view showing healing and smile improvement.

Fig. 26. Smile view of patient.

Fig. 27. Close-up of discolored and failing restorations.

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Fig. 28. Teeth prepared with erbium laser.

Fig. 29. Immediate postoperative view.

Fig. 30. Preoperative view of anterior teeth and tissue.

uncontrollable bleeding, and moderate-to-severe pain if too much power is

used. There were no complications in this case. Figs. 35–39 demonstrate the
progress of the healing tissue.
An anterior gingivectomy was accomplished following proper evaluation
of smile design principles. This case involved problems with different
gingival marginal heights, disparities of the gingival zeniths, and dental
inclines. It is important to realize that when aesthetic makeovers are
852 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860

Fig. 31. Preoperative view of molar.

anticipated, the tissue should be altered to follow the proposed final shape of
the tooth (Fig. 40). With this case, a prototype mock-up was completed first
to aid in visualizing the final smile design. In addition to following the
cosmetic smile design principles, the clinician must properly evaluate the
biologic width for long-term periodontal stability as previously outlined
(Fig. 41).

Case report 4
Examination
The patient was a 30-year-old woman in excellent health undergoing
orthodontic treatment. She sought treatment to correct what she visualized
as short, wide upper teeth and a gummy smile. Gingival hyperplasia was
present in the maxillary anterior area, with frenum impingement (Fig. 42).
Preoperative evaluation revealed a 100% length-to-width ratio of the
maxillary central incisors. The treatment goal was to provide a ratio of

Fig. 32. Diode laser ablation of anterior tissue.

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Fig. 33. Diode laser ablation of molar tissue.

75% to 78%. The treatment plan was for a laser gingivectomy using a diode
laser on the right side and a CO2 laser on the patient’s left side. Periodontal
probing was recorded, and verification of tissue removal dimensions was
planned. Alternative modalities that were presented were surgical steel or
using only one type of laser. The patient understood that this procedure was
for educational purposes and consented to the procedure willingly.

Treatment
Following anesthesia, sounding to bone was accomplished to evaluate
adequate biologic width. Two laser wavelengths were used. On the patient’s
right side, an 830-nm diode laser (OpusDent) was used with a 360-lm fiber
and an initiated tip in contact mode. The power setting was 1.0 W in the
pulsed mode of 0.05 seconds on and 0.05 seconds off. These laser parameters
were used on teeth nos. 6 through 8 and 25 through 27. The treatment time
was 15 minutes.

Fig. 34. Twenty-four–hour postoperative view.

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Fig. 35. One-week postoperative view of anterior segment.

Fig. 36. One-week postoperative view of molar.

Fig. 37. One-week postoperative view.

On the patient’s left side and frenum, a 10,600-nm CO2 laser (OpusDent)
was used with the proprietary ‘‘Perioprobe’’ tip, with 2.0 W continuous
wave power used in focused noncontact mode on teeth nos. 9 through 11
and 22 through 24. The enamel surfaces were protected from the laser beam
with a metal instrument. The power setting was changed to 2.5 W in
T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860 855

Fig. 38. Six-month postoperative view.

Fig. 39. One-year postoperative view.

Fig. 40. Preoperative smile.

856 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860

Fig. 41. Smile design evaluation (top) and achievement (bottom).

a continuous wave, focused, noncontact mode for the maxillary frenum.

Final sealing of the left-side surgical site was accomplished with a non-
focused tip at 1.0 W, with 100 pulses per second on and 100 pulses per
second off. The total treatment time was 20 minutes (Fig. 43).
Anesthesia was provided with 2 Carpules of 4% articaine with 1:100,000
epinephrine. Laser safety measures were used during entire procedure.

Discussion
Postoperative instructions included avoidance of traumatizing the sites
with a toothbrush or any hard, crunchy food. The patient was instructed to
use a soft cotton applicator and 3% hydrogen peroxide twice daily to gently
cleanse the areas. A 1-week evaluation was scheduled and the patient was
instructed to call if there were any complications of moderate-to-severe
pain, uncontrolled bleeding, or tissue sloughing. The patient reported

Fig. 42. Preoperative view of gingival tissue and frenum.

 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860 857

Fig. 43. Diode ablation of tissue on right side and CO2 laser ablation of tissue on left side and
frenum.

Fig. 44. One-week postoperative view.

Fig. 45. One-month postoperative view.

858 T.C. Adams, P.K. Pang / Dent Clin N Am 48 (2004) 833–860

minimal-to-no discomfort following the entire procedure. She required only

one tablet of acetaminophen the evening of the procedure. In addition, she
could not determine any difference between the right and left sides.
Clinically, the different tissue interaction can be seen. On the patient’s right
side, the diode laser left a nearly pristine surgical site with little to no
discoloration evident. On the patient’s left side, the CO2 laser left
a discolored site; however, the site did not actively bleed like one might
expect after a scalpel surgery (Fig. 44). Fig. 45 shows 1-month healing; the
aesthetic contour was very pleasing to the patient.

Summary
This article details various laser instruments used in aesthetic procedures.
Hard tissue restorations and soft tissue excision and ablation are accom-
plished easily and accurately by different wavelengths. The principle of
maintaining biologic width was demonstrated, and the smile design concept
and criteria were shown. When proper form and function is achieved with
tissue biocompatibility, the aesthetic procedure is a success; performing the
treatment with a dental laser ensures a beneficial result.

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