Dental technology

Laser Dentistry

By the Dental Nation clinical team — a licensed dental group practising in the UAE

Lasers can be used alongside non-surgical periodontal treatment, with possible short-term benefit but limited long-term evidence.

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The short answer

Laser dentistry can be used alongside non-surgical periodontal treatment, but long-term evidence for this adjunctive use remains limited.

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What is laser dentistry?

Periodontal treatment contexts in the evidence
Context	Laser role
Non-surgical periodontal treatment	Adjunctive laser therapy^[2]
Periodontitis with type 2 diabetes mellitus	Adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy^[2][3]

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Controlled-study comparison
Comparison	Reported result
Laser treatment	Similar results to some non-surgical options^[1][2]
Scaling and root planing alone	A named non-surgical comparison^[1][2]

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How are lasers used in periodontal care?

Laser therapy is studied as an adjunct to conventional non-surgical periodontal treatment. The review found that it might help short-term treatment outcomes when used alongside that conventional care.

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What are the limits?

The systematic-evidence overview found a possible short-term effect, while long-term effects were still lacking. Study quality also varied, with reviews classified from high quality to critically low quality.

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How does it compare with other non-surgical treatment?

Controlled studies have found similar results with laser treatment and specific other non-surgical options, including scaling and root planing alone. Scaling removes plaque and bacterial toxins beneath the gumline, then root planing smooths the root surface.

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What does this mean for a patient?

A laser may be part of non-surgical periodontal care, rather than a replacement for it. The evidence examined lasers used with conventional treatment and found possible short-term benefit, not a proven long-term advantage.

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Is laser dentistry safe?

Lasers have different wavelengths and power levels for periodontal procedures. An inappropriate wavelength or power level can damage periodontal tissues, so those settings matter to safe use.

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Frequently asked questions

Can laser treatment replace scaling and root planing?

Controlled studies have found similar results with laser treatment and specific non-surgical options, including scaling and root planing alone.

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Quick facts

Periodontal role: Adjunct to non-surgical treatment^[2][3]
Short-term evidence: May be effective for short-term outcomes^[2]
Safety concern: Incorrect wavelength or power can damage periodontal tissues^[1][2]

This page provides general dental information. It cannot diagnose a condition or replace an examination by a licensed dental professional. In a UAE medical emergency, call 998.

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Who wrote this page

This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.

This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.