Conhecimento das propriedades físicas e da interação do laser com os tecidos biológicos na odontologia * Knowledge of the physical properties and interaction of laser with biological tissue in dentistry

Abstract: The trend in dentistry is to incorporate less invasive methods to minimize pain and discom-fort during and after dental intervention. Therefore, it is believed that laser therapy is an excellent treat-ment option, since it has beneficial effects for the irradiated tissues, such as activation of microcircula-tion, production of new capillaries, inflammatory and analgesic effects, in addition to stimulation ofgrowth and cell regeneration. The comprehension of the interaction between lasers and tissue is basedmainly on understanding the reactions that can be induced in those tissues by laser. This work intendsto show how important it is to know the physical properties of laser as well as its interactions with bio-logical tissues, since its effects and mechanisms of action are complex and are the object of various stu-dies to better understand its forms of application and indications.Keywords: Dentistry; Lasers; Physical properties; Tissues Recebido em 04.10.2010.Aprovado pelo Conselho Consultivo e aceito para publicacao em 27.12.2010. * Trabalho realizado na Universidade Estadual da Paraiba (UEPB) – Campina Grande (PB), Brasil.Conflito de interesse: Nenhum /