Prof. Ana Catarina Nogueira da Silva, PhD
There is no such thing as THE laser in dentistry
- ProfessorFaculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto
- PhD in Dental MedicineUniversity of Porto
- Mastership & MSc in Lasers in DentistryRWTH Aachen University, Germany
- EMDOLAEuropean Master Degree in Oral Laser Applications
- Ambassador for PortugalInternational Society for Laser Dentistry
- Member of the General CouncilPortuguese Dental Association (OMD)
Background
A career devoted to light as a clinical instrument.
A graduate of the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the University of Porto, where she now teaches Operative Dentistry, Prof. Ana Catarina Nogueira da Silva specialised in lasers at RWTH Aachen University in Germany and completed the European Master Degree in Oral Laser Applications. She earned her PhD at the University of Porto with research devoted to the clinical use of lasers.
She founded and directs Portugal’s first Institute of Laser Dentistry and is Portugal’s Ambassador to the International Society for Laser Dentistry. In 2024 she chaired the Organising Committee of the 19th ISLD World Congress in Porto — the first laser dentistry congress ever held in the country.
- 1stInstitute of Laser Dentistry in Portugal, founded and directed by Prof. Ana Catarina
- 230+delegates at the 19th ISLD World Congress, Porto 2024
- 30+nationalities gathered in Porto for the country’s first laser dentistry congress
- 2026Scientific Committee of the 20th ISLD World Congress in Dubai
Wavelengths
Every laser has its own indication.
Laser light behaves differently depending on the tissue that absorbs it. Water, hydroxyapatite, haemoglobin and melanin respond to different wavelengths — which is why choosing the laser and its parameters is a clinical decision, not a technical detail.
Diode laser
810–980nm
The most versatile laser for soft tissue. Its energy is absorbed mainly by pigments, making it effective for surgery, decontamination and biostimulation.
- Absorbed mainly by
- Haemoglobin and melanin
- Tissues
- Soft
- Clinical indications
- Soft-tissue surgery: frenula, gingivoplasty
- Periodontal and endodontic decontamination
- Photobiomodulation
- Dentine hypersensitivity, mouth ulcers and cold sores
Nd:YAG laser
1064nm
Deep tissue penetration with strong coagulation and decontamination capacity.
- Absorbed mainly by
- Melanin and haemoglobin
- Tissues
- Soft, with deep penetration
- Clinical indications
- Periodontal pocket decontamination
- Haemostasis
- Dentine hypersensitivity
- Endodontic disinfection
Er,Cr:YSGG laser
2780nm
Works on both hard and soft tissue, with precise ablation and water-spray cooling.
- Absorbed mainly by
- Water and hydroxyapatite
- Tissues
- Hard and soft
- Clinical indications
- Caries removal and cavity preparation
- Enamel and dentine conditioning
- Endodontics
- Periodontal and bone surgery
Er:YAG laser
2940nm
The wavelength most strongly absorbed by water. It removes tissue with great precision and minimal thermal effect.
- Absorbed mainly by
- Water and hydroxyapatite
- Tissues
- Hard and soft
- Clinical indications
- Selective caries removal, often with less anaesthesia
- Peri-implantitis treatment
- Bone surgery
- Soft-tissue surgery
CO₂ laser
9,300–10,600nm
Precise cutting and excellent haemostasis in soft tissue. At 9,300 nm it can also treat hard tissue.
- Absorbed mainly by
- Water
- Tissues
- Soft (and hard, at 9,300 nm)
- Clinical indications
- Soft-tissue incision and ablation
- Removal of mucosal lesions
- Frenectomies
- Gingivoplasty
Indicative values. The parameters for each treatment are set individually, after clinical assessment.
For patients
More precision. More comfort.
When properly indicated, lasers allow more conservative treatment and a smoother recovery. The indication is always decided at the appointment, after an individual clinical assessment.
Less anaesthesia
In many procedures, such as caries removal with erbium lasers, the need for local anaesthesia is reduced or even avoided.
Fewer stitches
In soft-tissue surgery the laser cuts and coagulates at the same time, which often makes sutures unnecessary.
Maximum preservation
Selective removal of diseased tissue allows smaller interventions that preserve healthy tooth structure.
Decontaminating effect
Laser energy reduces the bacterial load in periodontal pockets, root canals and implant surfaces.
A more comfortable recovery
Less bleeding and less inflammation generally mean a calmer post-operative period.
Biostimulation
Photobiomodulation supports healing and helps control pain and inflammation.
Clinical areas
Where lasers make a difference.
- 01Restorative dentistryCaries removal and cavity preparation that preserves healthy tooth structure.
- 02PeriodontologyDecontamination of periodontal pockets and treatment of inflamed gums.
- 03Peri-implantitisDecontamination of implant surfaces and the surrounding tissues.
- 04Soft-tissue surgeryFrenectomies, gingivoplasties and lesion removal, often without stitches.
- 05EndodonticsAdjunctive disinfection of the root canal system.
- 06HypersensitivityRelief from dentine sensitivity to cold, heat and touch.
- 07Oral mucosaRelief from mouth ulcers, cold sores and other mucosal lesions.
- 08PhotobiomodulationSupporting healing and controlling pain and inflammation.
Teaching and training
Training dentists to use light with judgement.
Alongside her teaching at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the University of Porto, Prof. Ana Catarina leads hands-on courses for dentists who want to bring lasers into their practice — from the physics of light to clinical application.
- FundamentalsHistory and definition of the laser; properties of light.
- Tissue interactionChromophores, absorption and effects on hard and soft tissue.
- ParametersSetting power, frequency, pulse and cooling.
- SafetyProtective measures and contraindications.
- Clinical applicationsIndications in hard and soft tissue, speciality by speciality.
- PracticeExercises on models with diode and Er:YAG lasers.
Videos
Lasers, explained.
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Events
Congresses and lectures.
-
November 2026
Upcoming Scientific Committee
20th ISLD World Congress
-
November 2025
Invited speaker
34th Congress of the Portuguese Dental Association (OMD)
“New trends in Operative Dentistry: toys or tools? The use of lasers in operative dentistry”
-
June 2024
Chair of the Organising Committee
19th ISLD World Congress
Appointments
Every treatment starts with a careful assessment.
She sees patients in Lisbon, at White Clinic, and in Porto, at the Institute of Laser Dentistry. Appointments are booked directly with each clinic.