For patients who do not look forward to needles, drilling, or numbness, laser dentistry may be the right choice.
What is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry is one of dentistry’s latest advances. The laser delivers energy in the form of light. Depending on the intended result, this energy travels at different wavelengths and is absorbed by a “target.” In dentistry, these targets can be enamel, decay, gum tissue, or whitening enhancers. Each one absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting others. Laser dentistry can be used for both tooth and soft tissue related procedures. Often times no local anesthesia is required. Unlike the dental drill, with laser dentistry there is no heat or vibration, making the procedure quite comfortable for most patients. For soft tissue (surgical) procedures, it eliminates the need for suturing and healing is much faster.
Lasers can be used to diagnose cavities. Our DiagnoDent cavity detector can find decay hidden in the deep pits and grooves of many teeth. By finding this decay early, many sites can be restored with minimally invasive sealants and/or flowable composite resins. In some cases, incipient areas of decay can be reversed through optimal hygiene and the use of fluoride. The early detection provided by the laser allows us to be much more conservative dentists.
Areas of dental care that benefit from laser technology:
- Cavity diagnosis and removal
- Curing or hardening bonding materials
- Whitening teeth
- Periodontal or gum related care
- Pediatric procedures
- Apthous ulcer treatment (canker sore)
- Frenectomy (tongue-tie release) without anesthesia or sutures
- Root canal and apicoectomies
- Crown lengthening, gingovectomy, and other gum corrections
Dental lasers have been shown to be safe and effective for treating both children and adults.