An Assessment of knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Lasers among periodontists in India

In the history of science, the invention of laser has attracted the attention of a lot of people. Maiman, in the year 1960, introduced “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation” (LASER) making use of Einstein’s theory on stimulated emission. Laser helps to remove the microorganisms and diseased soft tissue and it also stimulates wound healing. However, the clinical value and awareness of the advantages of their use is limited. Food and drug administration have granted their approval. There are different types of lasers that are used in dentistry. Some of them being Diode, Er: YAG (Erbium: Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet), Argon, Carbon dioxide, Nd: YAG (Neodium: Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet). Lasers can be used in the field of periodontics for soft tissue crown lengthening procedure, depigmentation, curettage, frenectomy, operculectomy, soft tissue ablation, mechanical debridement of subgingival root surface and treatment of periodontal pockets. Lasers are also used in other fields of dentistry such as restorative and for acquiring biopsies. The present study was a questionnaire based study assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of lasers among periodontists in India. A cross sectional study was carried out using a research based questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 24 questions. It was filled by 45 periodontists in India. The questions were based on assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice. The percentage of knowledge was 65.6%, attitude was 82.1% and practice was 54.5%.