The 2940-nm Er:YAG laser is particularly indicated for which procedure?

The 2940-nm Er:YAG laser is particularly indicated for osseous crown lengthening due to its unique properties that allow for precise and effective soft and hard tissue surgery. This wavelength is highly absorbed by water, which is a major component of both hard and soft tissues. This absorption characteristic means that the Er:YAG laser can efficiently ablate tissue without causing excessive thermal damage to surrounding areas.

In the context of osseous crown lengthening, the Er:YAG laser can selectively target the alveolar bone with minimal collateral damage, allowing for controlled reshaping of the bony architecture to expose more tooth structure above the gum line. This precision is crucial in dental procedures where maintaining the health and integrity of adjacent tissues is important.

The other procedures listed, while they may involve lasers, are not the primary indications for the Er:YAG laser. For instance, photobiomodulation typically involves lower-power lasers that focus on cellular processes and healing rather than tissue removal. Composite curing is usually performed with different types of light, such as LED or halogen curing lights, which are optimized for hardening resin composites rather than hard tissue ablation. Hemostasis, which involves stopping bleeding, is often better served by lasers like carbon dioxide or diode