Medical laser technology produces a strong beam of light and a particular wavelength. Advancements behind laser technology have established many applications in the medical field, resulting in the rise of procedures conducted through lasers.
Less pain, faster recovery, and small incisions are some of the benefits you could get from laser technology. Today, medical experts use lasers in various areas, including gastroenterology, urology, and oncology. Beyond that, you can also observe more advancements in the following areas.
- Dentistry
Dentists may use soft tissue or hard tissue lasers, depending on the type of treatment. Soft tissue lasers are absorbed through hemoglobin (the protein found in red blood cells) and water. You can use the lasers to deal with periodontitis, including stimulating the tissues’ regrowth and killing bacteria. Patients treated with soft tissue lasers experience no pain, and the healing process on their tissues is faster.
On the other hand, the wavelength of hard tissue lasers is absorbed through a combination of water and a particular mineral in the teeth. The lasers are mostly used to get rid of some tooth structure, repair dental fillings, and shape or prep teeth for composite bonding. However, in some cases, dentists may use both lasers to:
- Minimize swelling and bleeding
- Reduce anxiety in patients
- Preserve the health of teeth during the removal of cavity
- Dermatology
Most common dermatoses, such as morphea and alopecia, have an advanced therapeutic ladder, with many patients responding positively to first or second-line treatments. However, some patients present with a refractory condition, which may be challenging to deal with because of treatment resistance and other related contraindications. With the development and advent of technology, dermatologists can now handle most of these diseases, providing a viable and safe option for patients.
Although most professionals are familiar with an excimer laser that treats psoriasis, other types of lasers have been established. Many aesthetic across the world have come to trust and rely on Palomar lasers to improve skin looks. This is because Palomar creates its cosmetic lasers for results, longevity, and versatility.
- Cardiovascular Treatment
For some patients with cardiovascular treatment, laser technology has become simply the best and probably the only option to restore functionality and relieve pain related to different illnesses of the veins, arteries, and heart. Affordable setup, new wavelengths, and more rugged systems are incorporated with invasive techniques to deal with various cardiovascular conditions. In addition to that, advancement in laser thrombolysis and laser angioplasty treatment of arrhythmias is directed to improve conventional approaches that don’t use lasers.
One approach used to handle blood-flow ailments encompass the treatment of (PAD) periphery artery disease. PAD is a condition that blocks or narrows blood vessels and is common in legs. According to the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PAD has affected around 25% of the total population, and if untreated, it may lead to limb amputation, poor prognosis, and death of tissues. Apart from PAD, laser technology can also deal with other cardiovascular illnesses, such as:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias
- Congenital heart disease
The Bottom Line!
Since laser technology came into the picture a few decades ago, the medical field has developed tremendously. Laser systems in medical centers are progressively being used in various applications, including cardiovascular treatment, dermatology, and dentistry. Because of the benefits that laser technology offers, medical experts, anticipate to have more advancements in the next few years.
