A bacteria removal laser is provided, especially for removing caries bacteria from natural or prosthetic teeth, the prosthetic teeth also being treated via extraoral approach, having a gripping handle, a laser radiation source, an application optics having a predetermined radiation exit surface, especially a radiation guide rod through which laser radiation passes, and an energy source such as a mains connection or an accumulator. The laser emits in the wavelength range between 2200 nm and 4000 nm and is especially designed as an Er:YAG laser. The energy output averaged over time is less than 1 mJ/mm2 at the radiation exit surface.
