Er:YAG lasers are solid-state lasers whose lasing medium is erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:Y3Al5O12). Er:YAG lasers typically emit light with a wavelength of 2940 nm, which is infrared. Unlike Nd:YAG lasers, the frequency of Er:YAG lasers is strongly absorbed by water due to atomic resonances. This limits its use in surgery and many other laser applications where water is present. Because of this limitation Er:YAG lasers are far less common than relatives such as Nd:YAG and Er:glass.
Er:YAG lasers have been used for laser resurfacing.[1] Example uses include treating acne scarring, deep rhytides, and melasma. In addition to water, Er:YAG laser energy is also absorbed by hydroxyapatite, which makes it a very good laser for cutting bone as well as tissue. Bone surgery applications have been found in oral surgery, dentistry, implant dentistry and otolaryngology.[2][3][4][5] Er:YAG lasers are also safer for wart removal than carbon dioxide lasers, because human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA is not found in the laser plume.[6]
References
1. ^ Teikemeier G, Goldberg DJ. "Skin resurfacing with the erbium:YAG laser". Dermatol. Surg. 1997;23:685–687.
2. ^ Bornstein E. "Proper use of Er:YAG lasers and contact sapphire tips when cutting teeth and bone: scientific principles and clinical application". Dent. Today 2004;23:84, 86–89; quiz 89
3. ^ Stubinger S, Nuss K, Landes C, von Rechenberg B, Sader R. "Harvesting of intraoral autogenous block grafts from the chin and ramus region: preliminary results with a variable square pulse Er:YAG laser". Lasers Surg Med 2008;40:312–318.
4. ^ Schwarz F, Olivier W, Herten M, Sager M, Chaker A, Becker J. "Influence of implant bed preparation using an Er:YAG laser on the osseointegration of titanium implants: a histomorphometrical study in dogs". J. Oral Rehabil. 2007;34:273–281.
5. ^ Lewandrowski KU, Lorente C, Schomacker KT, Flotte TJ, Wilkes JW, Deutsch TF. "Use of the Er:YAG laser for improved plating in maxillofacial surgery: comparison of bone healing in laser and drill osteotomies". Lasers Surg Med 1996;19:40–45.
6. ^ Hughes, P.S.H.; Hughes, A.P. (March 1998). "Absence of human papillomavirus DNA in the plume of erbium:YAG laser-treated warts.". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 38 (3): 426-428. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(98)70500-6. PMID 9520024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9520024. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
External links
* FDA-CDRH
* DOE about Er-YAG lasers 1994
