Application of lasers in orthodontics
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Date
2017Author
Mulder, Riaan
Melman, Geoffrey
Karic, Vesna
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Laser is the acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation, a usage that dates back to
approximately 50 years ago. In 1960, the first functioning
laser was built by the American physicist Maiman at the
Hughes Research Laboratories by using a synthetic ruby
crystal made of aluminum oxide and chromium oxide. In
general, lasers are composed of the three principal parts:
an energy source, an active medium and a set of two or
more mirrors that form a resonator. Properties such as
wavelength are determined primarily by the active medium,
which can be a gas, crystal or a solid-state conductor.