All lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light. When used for surgical and dental procedures, the laser acts as a cutting instrument or a vaporizer of tissue that it comes in contact with. When used in teeth-whitening procedures, the laser acts as a heat source and enhances the effect of tooth-bleaching agents.

Tooth decay. Lasers can help detect cavities and can remove decay within a tooth and prepare the surrounding enamel for a filling. If you're having a white filling, a laser will be used to harden the material once it's placed in the cavity. Lasers cannot be used on silver coloured mercury fillings because they vaporise the filling and create a harmful gas.