LASER terms Exam Questions and
Answers
Ablation - Correct Answers -Is using thermal energy to remove a segment of tissue
Absorption - Correct Answers -the transfer of energy into the target tissue resulting in
change in that tissue. All wavelengths are absorbed by some media. Absorption is a
function of wavelength, tissue composition, pigmentation, and water content.
Low absorption results in deeper penetration
High absorption results in ... - Correct Answers -shallow penetration in tissue
Low absorption results in... - Correct Answers -deeper penetration in tissue
Active medium - Correct Answers -one or more gases, liquids, or solids used to produce
amplified stimulated emissions in laser
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - Correct Answers -a private non-profit
organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for
products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States
thermal relaxation - Correct Answers -the time during which the target tissue is allowed
to cool between exposures to laser energy
transmitted - Correct Answers -the passage of electromagnetic radiation through any
medium. When laser energy is transmitted directly through tissue it will have little or no
thermal effect. Dependent on tissue type and wavelength.
vaporization - Correct Answers -the transition from a solid or liquid phase into a
gaseous (or vapor) phase. The physical process of converting a solid or liquid into a
gas; for dental procedures, it describes conversion of liquid water into steam
visible light - Correct Answers -wavelengths discernible by the human eye, between
approximately 400 and 700 nm
watt - Correct Answers -a unit of power; one watt equals one joule per second
Amplification - Correct Answers -a process that occurs in the optical resonator whereby
stimulated emission produces a population inversion.
, Amplitude - Correct Answers -the total height of a wave from top of one peak to the
bottom of the next.
ANSI Z-136.3 - Correct Answers -American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in
Health Care. Defines laser safety officer, hazard classification, control measures, laser
safety programs
Atom - Correct Answers -smallest particle of an element that can exist, either alone or in
combination
Average Power - Correct Answers -the average of the peak power and the laser off
time. Calculated in Watts. This is the amount of energy delivered over a period of time.
Average Power= energy X frequency
Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) - Correct Answers -a bureau of the
US food and drug administration that regulates the manufacture of radiation-emitting
electronic products.
Chromophore - Correct Answers -a light absorbing compound or molecule normally
occurring in tissues that absorb specific wavelengths of laser light
Coagulation - Correct Answers -denaturation of soft tissue proteins that begin to occur
at 60°C
Coherent - Correct Answers -a property of electromagnetic waves in which every wave
is of the same wavelength and precisely in phase with one another.
Collimated - Correct Answers -a property of electromagnetic waves where all the waves
are parallel
Contact mode - Correct Answers -direct touching of the laser delivery system to the
target tissue
Continuous wave (CW) - Correct Answers -a laser beam that is constant and
uninterrupted
Diode Laser - Correct Answers -a laser whose active medium is a semiconductor similar
to that found in a light emitting diode.
electromagnetic spectrum - Correct Answers -an entire range of wavelengths or
frequencies of electromagnetic spectrum, extending from gamma to radio waves.
electromagnetic waves - Correct Answers -time varying electric and magnetic fields
emission mode - Correct Answers -the manner and timing in which generated light
leaves the laser
Answers
Ablation - Correct Answers -Is using thermal energy to remove a segment of tissue
Absorption - Correct Answers -the transfer of energy into the target tissue resulting in
change in that tissue. All wavelengths are absorbed by some media. Absorption is a
function of wavelength, tissue composition, pigmentation, and water content.
Low absorption results in deeper penetration
High absorption results in ... - Correct Answers -shallow penetration in tissue
Low absorption results in... - Correct Answers -deeper penetration in tissue
Active medium - Correct Answers -one or more gases, liquids, or solids used to produce
amplified stimulated emissions in laser
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - Correct Answers -a private non-profit
organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for
products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States
thermal relaxation - Correct Answers -the time during which the target tissue is allowed
to cool between exposures to laser energy
transmitted - Correct Answers -the passage of electromagnetic radiation through any
medium. When laser energy is transmitted directly through tissue it will have little or no
thermal effect. Dependent on tissue type and wavelength.
vaporization - Correct Answers -the transition from a solid or liquid phase into a
gaseous (or vapor) phase. The physical process of converting a solid or liquid into a
gas; for dental procedures, it describes conversion of liquid water into steam
visible light - Correct Answers -wavelengths discernible by the human eye, between
approximately 400 and 700 nm
watt - Correct Answers -a unit of power; one watt equals one joule per second
Amplification - Correct Answers -a process that occurs in the optical resonator whereby
stimulated emission produces a population inversion.
, Amplitude - Correct Answers -the total height of a wave from top of one peak to the
bottom of the next.
ANSI Z-136.3 - Correct Answers -American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in
Health Care. Defines laser safety officer, hazard classification, control measures, laser
safety programs
Atom - Correct Answers -smallest particle of an element that can exist, either alone or in
combination
Average Power - Correct Answers -the average of the peak power and the laser off
time. Calculated in Watts. This is the amount of energy delivered over a period of time.
Average Power= energy X frequency
Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) - Correct Answers -a bureau of the
US food and drug administration that regulates the manufacture of radiation-emitting
electronic products.
Chromophore - Correct Answers -a light absorbing compound or molecule normally
occurring in tissues that absorb specific wavelengths of laser light
Coagulation - Correct Answers -denaturation of soft tissue proteins that begin to occur
at 60°C
Coherent - Correct Answers -a property of electromagnetic waves in which every wave
is of the same wavelength and precisely in phase with one another.
Collimated - Correct Answers -a property of electromagnetic waves where all the waves
are parallel
Contact mode - Correct Answers -direct touching of the laser delivery system to the
target tissue
Continuous wave (CW) - Correct Answers -a laser beam that is constant and
uninterrupted
Diode Laser - Correct Answers -a laser whose active medium is a semiconductor similar
to that found in a light emitting diode.
electromagnetic spectrum - Correct Answers -an entire range of wavelengths or
frequencies of electromagnetic spectrum, extending from gamma to radio waves.
electromagnetic waves - Correct Answers -time varying electric and magnetic fields
emission mode - Correct Answers -the manner and timing in which generated light
leaves the laser
