Clinical, morphological, and ultrastructural aspects with the use of Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers in restorative dentistry.

The Er:YAG laser has an active medium of Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet doped with Erbium ions and emits free-running pulsed laser energy at a wavelength of 2940 nm. The Er,Cr:YSGG laser has an active medium of Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet doped with Erbium and Chromium ions and emits free-running pulsed laser energy at a wavelength of 2780 nm. These wavelengths have a high absorption in water, which makes their application appropriate for ablating oral soft tissue as well as dental hard tissue. This article examines the principles of use for the Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers in clinical restorative dentistry and reviews the literature regarding different aspects of the use of laser energy on hard tissues.