Laser welding in the dental laboratory: an alternative to soldering.

Only recently has laser welding been applied to dental technology, primarily as an alternative to soldering. This article addresses how the laser is used for welding, the effect welding has on metals as the energy is converted into heat and reacts with the alloy's surface and the practicality of laser welding in the dental laboratory. A step-by-step procedure for accomplishing laser-welded connections in a fixed partial denture is included. A laser-welded clasp repair using wrought wire and the addition of custom cast parts welded to an existing removable partial denture framework on the master model are also shown.