Ghent University, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Section Endodontics, Gent, Belgium
MOND Latem, Endo and Dental Trauma Clinic & Gent Dental Laser Centre, Sint Martens Latem, Belgium
Laser technology has already been introduced in endodontics since the 1990s. The most interesting options with clear scientific background include cleaning and disinfection of the root canal system, the assessment of pulp vitality with Laser Doppler Flowmetry, treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity and laser bleaching of sclerotic teeth without walking bleach. “Wavelength specificity” is the keyword and this will determine how laser light interacts with the target i.e. enamel and dentin, smear layer, debris, biofilm, irrigation solutions and the dental pulp.
During this presentation the laser-target interaction of the different endodontic wavelengths is explained, special attention is given to the topic of laser cleaning and disinfection with a more specific focus on the power of the bubble (laser activated irrigation – LAI). A comparison is also made with the more popular ultrasonically activated irrigation. High speed images are used to explain how fluid agitation is created during LAI.
Short CV
Prof. dr. Roeland De Moor (MSc Paediatric Dentistry & Traumatology) (MSc in Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry) is extra-ordinary full professor at the Ghent University (UGent – Belgium), head of the research cluster of the Section of Endodontics / Department of Oral Health Sciences, and director of the three-year Master after Master programme in Endodontics. As a guest professor he is involved in laser education at the Dental School of the Vienna Medical University, and he is the programme director of the International Master of Clinical Dentistry – Endodontology. His referral based clinical practice (GDLC – Gent Dental Laser Centre / Jurident) is focused on second and third line (paediatric) endodontics, dental traumatology, judicial orofacial damage assessment and dental laser bleaching at MOND Latem in Sint Martens Latem, Belgium.
The research of his group is focussed on root canal cleaning and disinfection a.o. with laser activated irrigation and light activated nanoparticles, the use of lasers and light in endodontics such as Laser Doppler Flowmetry and dental laser bleaching. Research is also conducted in the field of endodontic quality, minimal invasive endodontic techniques, the use of bioactive materials in endodontics and the build-up of root canal treated teeth.
