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History of the Surgical CO2 Laser
The Dawn of Laser Technology (1950 - 1960s)
The late 1950s and early 1960s were a revolutionary period for optical technology. Scientists in the United States and the Soviet Union were racing to develop laser technology. Charles Townes, Arthur Schawlow, Gordon Gould, and Theodore Maiman in the U.S., and Alexander Prokhorov and Nikolay Basov in the USSR were the pioneers who laid the foundational work for lasers.
Aerosols, viruses and laser plume management for LightScalpel, VetScalpel, Aesculight and Luxar surgical CO2 lasers
ANSI Z136.3 Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care () defines laser plume as one of the non-beam laser hazards since it contains viral, bacterial, and other cellular and aerosolized particulates. ANSI Z136.3 Standard also specifies safety measures to mitigate the laser plume hazards, i.e. the mandatory use of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) device equipped with a proper filter (with ANSI Z136.
Unveiling the Mysteries of Buccal-Ties
The buccal frenum, a band of connective tissue inside the mouth, has been a subject of increasing interest among healthcare professionals. When overly restrictive, this tissue can lead to a range of issues, from breastfeeding difficulties in infants to speech and eating challenges, as well as difficulty brushing, gingival recession, and even trouble with dentures in older individuals.
Announcing the Distinguished Speaker Lineup for the 2024 Breathe and Thrive Symposium
The American Laser Study Club (ALSC) is thrilled to announce the lineup of 36 esteemed speakers for the 2024 , taking place from February 2-4, 2024, in sunny San Diego, California. This year’s symposium promises to be an unparalleled platform for learning and networking, featuring multidisciplinary experts in Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS), laser surgery, frenectomy/frenuloplasty techniques, and more.
The ADA’s Guide to Dental Lasers and Related Light-based Technologies
For those in the market for a dental laser but don't know where to start, we recommend reading the American Dental Association's technical report titled "." This is a wonderful resource that covers the key fundamentals in laser dentistry and why you might choose one laser type over another.
Some key takeaways about laser tissue interaction that you might not know:
Diode lasers cut using a hot tip, not a laser beam.
Everything Else You Can Do with a CO Laser: A Frenulum Free Course
Did you miss this excellent presentation? "Everything Else You Can Do with a CO Laser: A Frenulum Free Course" by Paul A. Bahn, III, DMD, was recorded at the AAPD in May 2022. You can purchase this presentation as part of the package "" (it includes 3 other presentations as well). For AAPD members the package costs $120 for non-members it is $170.