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AADC Positions Committee Position Statement
Laser Fluorescence in Caries Diagnosis

Throughout the history of dentistry, technology has played a crucial role. From early developments such as anesthesia, vulcanite for dentures, x-rays, and amalgam to more recent developments in the twentieth century that include improvements in dental materials and the introduction of 'the high-speed' drill powered by compressed air, advances in dentistry have resulted from a combination of increased scientific understanding of oral diseases and their treatments and technological improvements. The pace of technological change has continued to accelerate and has significantly impacted dentistry with the recent development of digital imaging of teeth, understanding of the concept of osseointegration with dental implants, development of software for computergenerated tooth restorations, and the use of lasers (Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation) that cuts both hard and soft tissues. There have historically been setbacks with some of the more notable being the TMJ Proplast implants, early filled polymer crowns (Artglass), and Caridex to name a few. These disappointments are good examples of technologies that did not meet the dental community's expectations, thereby falling into disfavor.

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