Which type of lasers are categorized as hard tissue lasers?

Hard tissue lasers are specifically designed to interact effectively with mineralized tissues, such as bone and teeth. The Erbium lasers, particularly Erbium: YAG (Er: YAG) and Erbium: Chrome (Er:Cr:YSGG), emit wavelengths that are well absorbed by water and hydroxyapatite, the mineral component of bone and teeth. This makes them highly efficient for procedures involving hard tissues, such as dental applications (cavity preparation and osseous surgery) and orthopedic surgeries.

The choice of Erbium lasers as hard tissue lasers stems from their ability to precisely cut and modify hard tissues with minimal thermal damage to surrounding areas, leading to enhanced healing and reduced discomfort. They function in a manner that allows for very controlled ablation of hard tissue, making them invaluable in both dental and surgical settings where precision is essential.

In contrast, while Nd:YAG lasers can be used in some surgical applications on hard tissues, they are generally better suited for soft tissue applications due to their absorption characteristics. CO2 lasers primarily target soft tissues as they are absorbed by water in soft tissues and are not suitable for cutting through hard tissue. Diode lasers, although versatile, are predominantly used for soft tissue applications as well and do