What distinguishes Er,Cr:YSGG from Er:YAG lasers?

The distinction between Er,Cr:YSGG and Er:YAG lasers primarily lies in the depth of thermal penetration, which is a crucial factor in their applications. Er,Cr:YSGG lasers operate at a wavelength of approximately 2780 nm, while Er:YAG lasers emit light at 2940 nm. Although the Er,Cr:YSGG laser has a higher wavelength than the Er:YAG laser, the meaning of “higher” here is relative. The slight difference in wavelength results in distinct interaction properties with tissues.

The Er,Cr:YSGG laser exhibits deeper thermal penetration compared to the Er:YAG laser due to its unique wavelength and the specific way it interacts with water in tissues. This is particularly important in various surgical and dental applications where a balance between cutting efficiency and thermal damage needs to be considered. Deeper thermal penetration allows the Er,Cr:YSGG laser to effectively treat deeper tissues while minimizing damage to the surface layers, making it a preferable choice in certain clinical scenarios.

Other options such as less water absorption or being limited to only soft tissue do not accurately describe the characteristics of the Er,Cr:YSGG laser in comparison to the Er:YAG laser. They do not reflect the deeper thermal penetration capability which is