The currently available dental laser instruments do present some disadvantages. For example, they are relatively high in cost and require training to master. This instruction can vary with each manufacturer, but the clinician should insist on completion of rigorous hands-on simulation exercises to gain an adequate understanding of laser-tissue interaction for the various procedures that he or she intends to perform

Because a majority of dental instruments are both side- and end- cutting, a modification of clinical technique will be required. Most of the laser beams act only in an “end-cutting” mode, while a few procedures can utilize a tip that offers radial or side emission. Also, no single wavelength will optimally treat all dental disease. Accessibility to the surgical area can be a problem with some current delivery systems, and the clinician must avoid overheating the tissue while attempting to complete a procedure. One additional drawback of the all-tissue lasers is the inability to remove defective metallic and cast porcelain restorations. Of course, this limitation in some cases could be quite beneficial when treating small areas of recurrent decay around otherwise sound restorations.