Laser Applications in Operative Dentistry

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What does the acronym 'laser' stand for?

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Rays
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radioactive
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radio Frequency
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (correct)

What are the three basic methods that pump energy into the active medium in a laser?

Thermal, electrical, and magnetic
Optical, electrical, and chemical (correct)
Optical, thermal, and electrical
Mechanical, thermal, and chemical

What is unique about laser light?

It is polychromatic, directional, and incoherent
It is monochromatic, directional, and coherent (correct)
It is monochromatic and has a high divergence
It is polychromatic and has a high divergence

What is the function of the active medium in a laser?

To amplify light through stimulated emission (A) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the interactions, indications, and specificity of a laser's use in treatment procedures?

The wavelength of the laser's light (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of active mediums used in dental lasers?

Gas, liquid, and solid state crystal rod (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the wavelength of the argon laser used in detection of dental caries?

488 nm (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of laser fluorescence systems for detection of dental caries?

Lack of fluorescence from carious enamel and dentine (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the wavelength of near-infrared soft-tissue lasers?

810 nm, 940 nm, 980 nm, 1064 nm (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of laser fluorescence in detecting dental caries in pits and fissures?

Greater sensitivity (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the wavelength of the far-infrared region laser?

10,600 nm (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of laser fluorescence in detecting dental caries?

Difficulty in detecting proximal lesions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using the Er: YAG laser in cavity preparation?

It reduces the risk of pulp damage (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic appearance of ablation craters on enamel surfaces after cavity preparation using the Er: YAG laser?

A white, chalky appearance (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason why carious material is more easily removed using the Er: YAG laser?

It has a higher water content than healthy dental hard tissues (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using dyes in conjunction with laser fluorescence?

To detect carious lesions in areas of poor clinical access (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the ablation rate in enamel using the Er: YAG laser?

20-50 μm/pulse (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of dentine cavity margins after preparation using the Er: YAG laser?

They are sharp and dentinal tubules remain open without a smear layer (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the ablation threshold of healthy dentine and carious dentine?

The ablation threshold of healthy dentine is two times higher than the corresponding threshold of carious dentine. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the Er: YAG laser on gold crowns and ceramic materials?

It cannot remove gold crowns and ceramic materials due to low absorption and reflection of the laser light. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of micro-explosions during hard tissue ablation using the Er: YAG laser?

Both microscopic and macroscopic irregularities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Er: YAG laser incapable of removing?

Amalgam restorations due to potential release of mercury vapor. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of the Er: YAG laser over bur treatment in terms of vibration?

The Er: YAG laser produces less vibration than bur treatment. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the efficiency of ablation of the Er: YAG laser compared to enamel and dentine?

The ablation efficiency is comparable to that of enamel and dentine. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of laser irradiation on the calcium to phosphate ratio in dental hard tissues?

It decreases the ratio (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of using an Er: YAG laser to desensitize hypersensitive dentine?

It is more effective than conventional desensitizing systems and has a longer lasting effect (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the objective of power bleaching using lasers?

To achieve an effective power bleaching process using the most efficient energy source (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of laser irradiation on the enamel surfaces of teeth?

They become more acid resistant (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of power bleaching using lasers?

It uses high-intensity light to raise the temperature of hydrogen peroxide, accelerating the chemical process of bleaching (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using lasers in hard tissue applications for treating hypersensitive dentine?

It improves the success rate of treatment (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of Bioglass in treating dentin hypersensitivity?

Formation of an apatite layer that occludes the tubules (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of Bioglass that acts as a nucleation site for precipitation of calcium and phosphate?

Silica (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of NanoHAP in treating dentin hypersensitivity?

Occlusion of dentinal tubules with a dentinal plug (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the size of the components of nanomaterials used in dentistry?

Less than 100 nanometers in dimension (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of using NanoHAP in dentistry?

Both A and B (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of arginine-based products in treating dentin hypersensitivity?

Arginine attracts a calcium-rich layer from saliva to block the dentinal tubules (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the objective of fluoride iontophoresis in treating dentin hypersensitivity?

To drive fluoride ions more deeply into the dentinal tubules (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of 0.5% solution of prednisolone on exposed root surface?

It induces remineralization resulting in occlusion of dentinal tubules (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of saliva in reducing dentin hypersensitivity, according to the mechanism of arginine-based products?

Saliva provides a calcium-rich layer to infiltrate and block the dentinal tubules (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the dentin plug formed by arginine-based products?

It is rich in phosphate, calcium, and carbonate (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of laser therapy in treating dentin hypersensitivity?

It is a painless treatment for the patient (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of potassium nitrate in dentifrices for treating dentin hypersensitivity?

It penetrates A delta fibers, reducing their excitability (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of applying fluoride-containing varnishes in in-office treatments for dentin hypersensitivity?

To decrease the dentinal permeability by precipitating calcium fluoride crystals (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do dentin bonding agents help in treating dentin hypersensitivity?

They seal the dentinal tubules, reducing hypersensitivity (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of oxalates on dentin hypersensitivity?

They precipitate and occlude the open dentinal tubules (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of fluoride in dentinal permeability?

It decreases the dentinal permeability by precipitating calcium fluoride crystals (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using 5% glutaraldehyde in dentin bonding agents?

To cause coagulation of proteins inside the dentinal tubules (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main effect of acid cleansing agents on dentinal tubules?

Increases their permeability (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of thermal irritation on the pulp?

Pulp becomes necrotic (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is water directed onto the tooth during cavity preparation?

To prevent thermal irritation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of radiation therapy on the salivary gland?

It decreases salivary flow (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using cleansing agents in cavity preparation?

To remove the smear layer from the dentin (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of erosion?

The superficial loss of dental hard tissue due to chemical process not involving bacteria (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common source of industrial acid that can cause erosion of the labial surface of anterior teeth?

Gaseous form in heavily polluted areas (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of frequent ingestion of acidic food and drinks such as low pH cola drinks on tooth structure?

It accelerates the loss of tooth structure due to chemical attack (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of erosion of the palatal surface of the upper teeth?

Gastric acid (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of taking concentrated hydrochloric acid through a straw or glass tube on the teeth?

It causes the erosion of the lingual surface of the upper teeth (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of using silicate filling material without liners on the pulp tissue?

It causes irritation of the pulp tissue (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the dental lesions caused by erosion in the early stages?

A rounded, cupped-out defect (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is D-Abrasion in dentistry?

Abnormal tooth surface loss due to direct frictional forces (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common example of tooth brush abrasion?

Sharp wedge-shaped notch in the gingival portion of the facial aspect of teeth (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of pulp death or inflammation related to incisal wear?

Attrition exceeding the rate of deposition of reparative dentin (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of determining the underlying cause of tooth wear?

To achieve effective treatment (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of heat generated during tooth preparation?

Dehydration of dentine and aspiration of moisture through dentinal tubules (A) Signup and view all the answers

How can hypersensitivity be relieved in teeth?

By applying topical fluoride, fluoride rinse, dentinal bonding agents, or restoration (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of rinsing the area with sterile saline or anesthetic solution during pulp tissue repair?

To facilitate hemostasis and dry the area (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between pure calcium hydroxide and hard-setting calcium hydroxide liner such as Dycal?

Pure calcium hydroxide causes tissue necrosis, while Dycal does not (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of removing the coronal portion of a vital pulp in a pulpotomy procedure?

To preserve the vitality of the remaining radicular portion (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the indication for performing a pulpotomy procedure?

For emergency relief of symptoms (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of placing a capping material over the canal orifices or remaining radicular tissue after pulpotomy?

To preserve the vitality of the remaining radicular portion (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended procedure for teeth that are not large enough to allow for additional tissue loss through necrosis?

Apply hard-setting calcium hydroxide liner such as Dycal (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of direct pulp capping?

To facilitate the formation of reparative dentin and maintain the vital pulp (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended treatment for pulp exposure during caries removal?

Disinfecting the cavity with chlorhexidine and gently rinsing with anesthetic or sterile saline (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of applying a hard-setting calcium hydroxide liner in direct pulp capping?

To facilitate the formation of reparative dentin (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using a glass ionomer base/liner material in direct pulp capping?

It provides a better seal and protects the calcium hydroxide dressing (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a contraindication for direct pulp capping?

Pulp tissue jeopardized by acute inflammation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the final step in the direct pulp capping procedure?

Sealing the cavity preparation with a dentin/enamel bonding system (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of removing 1-2 mm of the superficial pulp tissue during partial pulpotomy?

To expose healthy coronal pulp tissue (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is re-entry to remove the residual minimal carious dentin after capping with calcium hydroxide questioned by some clinicians?

Because it may not be necessary if the final restoration maintains a seal (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of partial pulpotomy?

To preserve the remaining coronal and radicular pulp tissues (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of maintaining a seal in the final restoration after indirect pulp capping with calcium hydroxide?

It prevents the need for re-entry (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential risk of re-excavation during re-entry?

Pulp exposure (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the similarity between direct pulp capping and partial pulpotomy?

Both are considered comparable procedures (B) Signup and view all the answers