• Associated Professor at the Department of Oral Pathology, Director of the Dental Laser Center at Faculty of Dental Medicine, Plovdiv Medical University, Bulgaria.
• President of the Bulgarian Society for Laser Dentistry (BDLS)

The most impressive characteristic of the CO2 9.6µm wavelength laser is the highest absorption in Hydroxyapatite that corresponds to controlled penetration depth and very precise ablation. This superb absorption concentrates the energy in a very small area and can also be used to change the structure of the hard tissues. The observed morphological effects are particularly beneficial in the field of caries prevention and treatment. Our researches have confirmed that CO2 9.6µm can be used successfully both for hard and for soft tissue treatments and further clinical studies will support our pilot findings. This new wavelength challenges the traditional role of CO2 as soft tissue lasers only and opens a new page in the history of laser dentistry.

• Director of the Department of Operative Dentistry Periodontology, Pediatric Dentistry RWTH Aachen University.
• Director of the Aachen Dental Laser Center (AALZ).
• Scientific Director of the Postgraduate Master Program: ”Lasers in Dentistry”.

Why am I so excited about the new CO2 9.6µm wavelength laser? Because the 9.6µm wavelength is the only wavelength optimally absorbed in hydroxyapatite which appears in all types of hard tissues such as enamel, dentin and bone. When the CO2 9.6µm wavelength laser is absorbed in the hydroxyapatite it causes an explosive vaporization effect which changes the morphology of the hard tissue surface by vaporizing it instantaneously. Although cutting through hard tissue, it may feel like you are cutting through soft tissue.