Lasers in medicine and dentistry: where are we now?

There has been an explosion in research, articles and case reports about laser therapy during recent years. The future is promising and the literature is exciting, but sometimes conflicting in findings. A review of the literature reveals that lasers have many uses in medicine, often allowing procedures to be performed that would not have been feasible through other means. Lasers would seem to have a much greater role in the future than is now realized. Each laser has its own unique features, advantages and disadvantages. While one laser may be suitable for some procedures, it will be unsuitable for others. Some reviewers have expressed concerns about safety and cost/benefit.