ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What does the acronym LASER stand for? - CORRECT ANSWER - Light Amplification
Stimulation Emissions of Radiation
Name 3 historical pioneers responsible for the production of medical laser use? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Sir Isacc Newton
Albert Einstein
Neils Bohr
How does white light differ from laser light? - CORRECT ANSWER - White: Non-
focused, multi-wavelengths, diverge, many colors, multi-directional
What are characteristics of a Laser beam? - CORRECT ANSWER - Laser : intense beam
of monochromatic light by stimulation of excited atoms, same wavelength, single colored
parallel waves keep tight light beam long distance, coherent, collimated
How does wavelength play into the production of the laser beam? - CORRECT
ANSWER - All same wavelength/ phase keep tight light beam
Where does laser light fall within the electromagnetic spectrum? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Visible light spectrum (not as harmful as xrays)
Describe the properties of laser light with respect to collimation, divergence, and distance. -
CORRECT ANSWER - Collimation = lined up/straight line
Divergence = beam diameter increases with distance from laser
, Name 4 possible interactions a laser beam can have with matter (tissue) - CORRECT
ANSWER - (RATS)
Reflection
Absorption
Transmission
Scatter
Describe the 4 interactions a laser can have on tissue - CORRECT ANSWER - Reflection :
Beam redirected off, no effect on the target tissue, dangerous to unintentional target
Absorption : most desirable effect, depends on: pigmentation, water content, laser wavelength
Transmission: directed through tissue with no effect, dependent on wavelength of laser light
Scattering : weakens laser energy, increase potential for heat transfer and unwanted injury to
adjacent tissue not intended for laser effects
Identify 3 photo-biologic effects that might occur when using a dental laser? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Photothermal
Photochemical
Biostimulation
Describe Photothermal - CORRECT ANSWER - creation of heat
Incision/excision uses small focal spot
ablation/vaporization uses wider spot and hemostasis/coagulation uses beam which is out of
focus
Describe photochemical - CORRECT ANSWER - caries detection and curing of
composites