Pros of Laser Dentistry Practices Over Traditional Dentistry Tools
Shorter healing times
Quicker, suture-free soft tissue treatments
Minimal need for anesthetics
Minimal bleeding and swelling due to the accuracy and cauterization that high-energy lasers provide
Less chance of infection because the laser sterilizes tissues during the treatment
Laser dentistry treatments can regenerate tissues
You may spend less time in the dental chair due to the effectiveness of lasers
You can relax more easily since you won’t be hearing unsettling drill noises
Laser dentistry practices keep children calm
Laser dentistry treatments can seal pain receptors, so your teeth become less sensitive
What Laser Dentistry Techniques Are Used For
Cavity Detection and Treatment
Laser dentistry techniques allow dentists to detect cavities sooner than they could with traditional dental tools. Newer lasers can prepare a cavity site for treatment and provide accurate dental fillings with little to no local anesthetic injections. While placing a filling, lasers will kill bacteria so the cavity cannot re-develop under the new fillings. Some filling materials may not be compatible with lasers, but we can discuss these options with you when you visit.
Gum Tissue Corrections
Laser dentistry techniques are now used to combat gum recession. Lasers can help regenerate soft tissue to repair damaged gums after gum disease. Lasers are also able to gently reshape soft tissues to disguise misshapen gums and help them to become stronger and provide more coverage. In addition to correcting problems associated with gum recession, lasers can expose more of your natural teeth, so you do not have a noticeable “gummy smile.”
Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can be successfully treated by laser dentistry practices. Many dentists prefer to use lasers for gum disease treatment, as they help maintain as much healthy tissue as possible while traditional dental tools often damage healthy tissues while they remove infected tissues. The level of sterilization laser dentistry practices provides also limits the spread of bacteria associated with gum disease, so you are less likely to experience a relapse of infection.
In addition to these areas of laser dentistry that are popular today, lasers are also used for teeth whitening, to remove tumors and cold sores, and in rare cases, lasers can be used to treat problems associated with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders. For more information about why you may be interested in receiving laser dentistry care, schedule an appointment with our office. As with all techniques, lasers may not be appropriate for every dental problem you have, but we can work with you to find the most comfortable solution possible for any dental ailments.
