New water laser equipment can be applied to soft tissues (oral mucosa, gums) or hard tissues (alveolar bones, teeth). In the non-surgical treatment stage, water laser treatment can significantly reduce the harsh and unpleasant sounds and vibrations caused by the use of traditional ultrasonic scaling machines and periodontal scrapers, as well as the use of dental anesthetics; however, thorough cleaning of dental calculus usually takes longer than traditional methods, even several hours. The current consensus among the periodontal community is that although laser is indeed effective in certain periodontal disease treatment efficacy indicators, the traditional periodontal treatment process cannot be completely replaced.

Ye Liwei, director of Modern Dental Clinic, said that laser treatment has many benefits, but the American and Taiwanese Periodontist Associations have conservative views on laser treatment of periodontal disease. One reason is that lasers can cause injuries if not handled properly.

"I have seen the side effects of osteonecrosis after laser treatment at a medical center!" Different laser types have different wavelengths of laser light. Certain wavelengths of laser have strong penetrating power and can easily cause local heat energy concentration, leading to gum damage and periodontal bone necrosis. Ye Liwei emphasized that operating physicians need to fully understand the types and characteristics of lasers in order to avoid unnecessary side effects.

Ye Liwei said that the laser treatment process must be done with caution. A certain amount of experience is required in terms of personal safety protection, selection of laser system types, power and parameter settings, and even the time and distance between the laser fiber and the tissue. He also suggested that if patients want to receive laser periodontal disease treatment, they should not only find a doctor who specializes in periodontal disease, but also ask the doctor what type of laser they use, so that it can be of practical help in periodontal disease treatment.