Laser Dentistry

What is a Laser and How Does it Work?

A laser is an instrument that produces a very narrow, intense beam of light energy which may or may not be visible to the human eye. When laser light comes in contact with tissue, it causes a reaction. The beam of light produced by the laser has the ability to remove, vaporize, or shape soft tissues (gums, cheeks and tongue) or hard tissues (removal of decay).

How are Lasers Used in Dentistry?

The laser is used for many soft and hard tissue procedures. These include: the elimination of speech problems caused by a tongue-tie which prevents normal tongue movement; uncovering of partially erupted wisdom teeth; the removal of lip pulls often seen in both young and adult orthodontic patients; and the gentle removal of swollen tissues caused by medications you must take to correct or control medical problems, A laser may also be used to perform biopsy procedures for taking small tissue samples to identify tumors or other lesions found in the mouth.

Lasers are utilized during crown lengthening procedures which involve removal or reshaping of excess gum tissues around crowns or veneers to provide adequate tooth shape for properly fitting restorations. Many other gum abnormalities can be addressed with laser treatment. Cavities can be detected, decay can be removed, and composite (tooth colored fillings) may be cured (hardened) with lasers.

What Are the Advantages of Laser Treatment Over Other Forms of Surgery?

In most instances lasers remove gum tissue without causing bleeding. The laser seals blood vessels and nerve endings. There may be less pain and swelling postoperatively. Because lasers can control the amount of bleeding, the surgical area is kept relatively dry which improves, the dentist's visibility. There is also less risk of spreading blood-borne diseases and less trauma to adjacent teeth and tissues. Lasers used for cavity' preparation often reduce Or completely eliminate the need for local anesthetic.

Will it Hurt?

The aspect of laser surgery that people appreciate is its comfort. While no treatment is always painless, the laser may reduce the need for postoperative pain medication and may reduce swelling and bleeding

Is it Safe? Yes.

If the dental laser is used according to accepted practices by a trained practitioner, it is at least as safe as other dental instruments.

How are Lasers Used to Treat Gum Disease?

There are a variety of lasers that can be used to treat periodontal disease.
- Lasers can be used to remove inflamed tissues within a periodontal pocket.
- Lasers can be used to trim away diseased gum tissue, increase the length of a tooth above the gum line so that crowns can be properly placed and can even remove muscle pulls and benign tumors.

What Are the Advantages of Laser Therapy Compared to Conventional Therapy in Treating Gum Disease?

Laser treatments may be more comfortable than treatment with conventional instruments. The gum tissue may be removed without bleeding and swelling because the powerful light beam seals blood vessels and nerve endings.

View More Information on Laser Cavity Detection