Dental Biophotonics & its applications in clinical dentistry
The interaction between light and the biological background constitutes the science of biophotonics. In clinical dentistry, biophotonics enhances disease diagnosis in every sub-speciality, turning the invisible visible and helping move away from the classic principle of “extension for prevention” towards “minimal invasiveness.”
Treatment guidance and successful goal achievement can be visually monitored, raising treatment reliability and success rates.
Among the clinical applications of biophotonics in dentistry:
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Oral hygiene
Diagnosis – Treatment selection/guidance – Treatment goal achievement – Patient communication – Motivation - Monitoring.
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Conservative-Restorative Dentistry
Diagnosis – Identification and removal of restorative materials – Treatment selection/guidance – Treatment goal achievement – Patient communication – Motivation - Monitoring.
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Prosthodontics
Identification and removal of fixed prosthetics– Shade selection - Monitoring.
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Endodontics
Locating root canal entrances –Crack detection – Infection identification – Treatment goal achievement.
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Periodontology
Diagnosis – Treatment selection/guidance – Treatment goal achievement – Patient communication – Motivation - Monitoring.​​
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Implantology
Preoperative diagnosis – intraoperative treatment guidance – postoperative surgical field monitorization - Peri-implantitis diagnosis, trigger factors elimination, disinfection, healing regeneration - Treatment goal achievement – Patient communication – Motivation - Monitoring.
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Oral Surgery
Support with tissue diagnosis/identification – Treatment goal achievement – Patient communication – Motivation - Monitoring.
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Aesthetic Dentistry
Shade selection – Potential bleaching opportunity - Treatment goal achievement –Patient communication – Motivation - Monitoring.
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Oral Pathology
Oral tumor screening – noninvasive treatment options – photoactivated disinfection – photobiomodulation – regeneration – Patient communication.
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