Abstract

Erbium lasers (Er:YAG) are been shown to be able perform suitable osteotomies in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Beside effective bone ablation capacity of Er:YAG in bone surgery, the collateral features such as tissue disinfection, atraumatic cutting, photoacoustic streaming and simultaneous biostimulation enables high patient comfort avoiding postoperative excessive swelling, edema and pain. A recent laser-in-handpiece technology which incorporates laser cavity within the handpiece enhances dramatically freedom of movements and permits high energy delivery by shortened focal distance from source to target tissue. Such improved capacity of laser-in-handpiece Er:YAG could replace mechanical rotary or piezo tools in bone split osteotomies, maxillary sinus lateral window and drill-free implant cavity preparations. In the present lecture various usage alternatives of Er:YAG laser-in-handpiece related to implant dentistry will be explained in case series by clinical pictures and operation videos.  

Learning objectives

• Discuss scientific literature on erbium laser usage in bone surgery 
• Explain bone ablation mechanism of erbium wavelength 
• Explain advanteges of shortened laser cavity distance and target tissue distance in terms of energy delivery capacity of Er:YAG laser
• Demonstrate laser-in-handpiece Er:YAG usage in clinical cases to perform bone split osteotomies, maxillary sinus lateral window and implant cavity preparations
• Evaluate case series by clinical pictures and operation videos in order to make learn participants the benefits and indications of laser-in-handpiece Er:YAG