In laser dentistry, what wavelength is most absorbed by soft tissue?

The wavelength most absorbed by soft tissue in laser dentistry is 1450 nm. This wavelength is effective for soft tissue applications because it falls within the range where water absorption is significant, which is a key component of soft tissue. At this wavelength, lasers can effectively target the water content in tissues, leading to efficient cutting, coagulation, and vaporization of soft tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding areas.

Other wavelengths listed are absorbed to varying degrees by different tissues, but they are not optimal for soft tissue procedures. For instance, 980 nm may provide some interaction with soft tissue but is less efficient than 1450 nm due to lower water absorption characteristics. The 2940 nm wavelength is primarily absorbed by the mineral content in bone and is often used in hard tissue applications. A wavelength like 10,600 nm, while highly absorbed by water, is more commonly associated with cutting and ablating hard tissue and is less effective in the delicate control required for soft tissue procedures.