Application of Laser Technologies in Dental Prosthetics

Laser technologies are widely used in various areas of contemporary practice not only in engineering but also in medicine. Owing to them, more accurate and precise results are achieved in making objects of unique shape and size for various purposes. In recent years, these technologies have entered rapidly into dental prosthetics. Several processes are mainly used: laser cutting, laser welding, laser sintering, rapid prototyping, laser cladding and laser surface structuring. Laser cutting and laser welding are mainly used in dental laboratories for production of large bridge prostheses ensuring high construction accuracy. By laser sintering and laser prototyping, individual crowns, dentures and implants are made from 3D models for each patient. Laser cladding and laser nanostructuring are used for surface treatment of implants to enhance their biocompatibility and osteoblast integration.