The future of lasers in dentistry.

In 1998, a laser-related trade journal printed an article on laser dermatology indicating that because of new applications, reduced prices, and instruments becoming more user-friendly, the dermatology laser market was becoming a billion dollar industry. If the same holds true in dentistry--keeping in mind that there are only approximately 7000 dermatologists in the United States--think of the potential for the dental laser market. It is huge, but to reach that potential, several criteria must be met: Market penetration must double in the next 4 to 5 years. Instrument sizes must diminish. Laser prices must decrease to an average of $10,000 for soft tissue lasers and $25,000 for hard tissue lasers over the next 10 years. Meeting these criteria would generate the necessary revenues for increased expenditures for research and development to improve existing delivery systems and develop new fiber types, continue development of a short-pulsed hard tissue laser to replace air turbines, and combine wavelengths into a single package, while looking into new wavelengths. If all of the above-mentioned become a reality in 10 to 15 years, the growth of the dental laser market could be limitless because of the hugeness of the worldwide dental marketplace. The last 20 years have witnessed many new developments in dental technologies, and the next 20 years promise to be even richer in technologic advancements. Lasers will be in the forefront of that growth.