Laser Dentistry

Dentistry is a field with an ever-running quest for innovation and perfection. For that reason, it came as no surprise when specialists dived into the search for less invasive treatment methods. This quest resulted in the birth and rise of laser dentistry, a discovery we will be covering in this article.

What is Laser Dentistry?

LASER in itself stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. These tools make use of beams of lights fashioned to react to particular tissues, with the aim of achieving certain results. They can serve either as trimmers, vaporizers, heat sources or light sources. 

 

With that being said, laser dentistry is the use of lasers in the dental field to achieve different renders.

Laser Dental Procedures

There exist two types of laser dental procedures, namely soft and hard tissue procedures. 

Hard Tissue Procedures:

“Hard” tissues is the term used to refer to teeth and bones in dentistry lingo. With these tissues, lasers can be used to reshape, trim or remove teeth or bones from the mouth. Some hard tissue procedures include:

Cavity Detection

Lasers have the ability to ease the spotting of upcoming cavities for the dentist. This permits the dentist to take immediate actions, so they don’t spread further. 

Cavity Filling

Although lasers can detect cavities soon enough, some patients miss their check-ups and visit the dentist only when teeth hurt. In cases of infection, lasers can help take off decay from teeth, and prepare the enamel for filling. 

Sensitivity Treatment

Ever bit into an ice cream and felt pain in your teeth? If you said yes, you probably suffer from teeth sensitivity. Teeth sensitivity to hot or cold can result from open tubules from teeth roots. Lasers have the ability to seal these openings, thus taking away a huge discomfort when eating hot or cold. 

Soft Tissue Procedures:

“Soft” tissues is the term used to refer to gums and all internal tissues surrounding or surrounded by the teeth. Lasers in this case can be used to cut, trim, or reshape tissues to meet health or esthetic expectations. Some soft tissue procedures include: 

Gum Reshaping

“Gummy smile” is a situation where gums cover most of the teeth, and is heavily displayed when smiling. This unaesthetic state can be fixed with a few laser cuts, so more teeth and less gums get displayed when smiling. 

Frenectomies

Being tongue-tied is one of the most uncomfortable conditions you can live with. A tight frenulum can give you a hard time when eating, talking, kissing, or playing some instruments. How frustrating is that! Luckily, lasers provide a pain-free solution to tight frenulum, so you can do more with your tongue.

Tissue Removal

Some dental procedures such as all-on-4s require tissue growth around implants. These tissues happen to grow and overcover the implant, which needs to be uncovered for crown fixation. Lasers then come in pretty handy in neatly trimming these tissues. 

Photoactivated Disinfection 

This disinfection process involves the use of non toxic oxygen-releasing dyes, as well as laser lights to disinfect the root canal. This disinfection method is non invasive, not painful, and not abrasive. 

Wound Healing

Due to wavelength’s ability to increase blood flow, it becomes possible with lasers to speed healing processes. Using lasers in procedures such as gingival trimming has been proven to boost fibroblasts’ maturity rate, thus accelerating healing.

Other Laser Procedures:

With time and technological advancements, lasers have been built to go way beyond just hard and soft tissue usages. Some other laser procedures include:

Viewing Tissues 

Some lasers are built to magnify and give clear renders of the mouth and its components. These lasers help in identifying upcoming threats to oral health unseen by the naked eye. By doing so, your dental specialist can take immediate action, for prevention is better than cure. 

Laser Teeth Whitening

As its name suggests, this procedure makes use of laser lighting to white the teeth for improved shine. With bleaching properties being sealed in the gel, the laser in this procedure helps activate these bleaching agents upon the teeth. Till date, this remains the fastest and safest teeth whitening option in dentistry. 

Digital Crown Designs 

The advent of laser-based equipment in dentistry brought in drastic change and difference from traditional methods. Through the use of laser CAD and CAM, it is now possible to create diamond-cut crowns and veneers for patients. Furthermore, they get to see 3D representations of what final results will look like, so they visualize and modify if needed. Lasers brought in a whole new meaning to customization of treatment plans, and satisfaction rate has surged since then

Cost Of Laser Dentistry

Given the wide panoply of laser tools in dentistry, fixing a price is really the least obvious thing possible. Depending on oral health state and procedures to be undergone, price greatly varies. For this reason, it is greatly advised to book a free consultation with us today. Through this, our specialists will assess your oral health, which procedures have to be undergone, as well as their prices.

FAQ

Is Laser Treatment Good for Teeth?

Laser treatments do come in various forms with just as different functions. Although quite diverse, a point they all have in common is the undisputable advantage they come with. Laser treatments are fast, detailed, minimal to non invasive, and in most cases, pain free. Laser treatments are so good for the teeth, it shouldn’t even be questioned.

Does Laser Dentistry Hurt?

Compared to traditional treatment methods, laser treatments generally hurt less. In most cases, the pain is so insignificant that anesthesia is barely necessary. This equally counts as a huge advancement in dentistry, given dent phobia stems from the fear of pain.

How long does the laser dentistry procedure take?

The length of the procedure depends on the type of treatment being performed. For example, teeth whitening can typically be completed in one visit, while more complex procedures such as filling cavities may require multiple visits.

Are there any side effects of laser dentistry?

Some patients may experience temporary sensitivity or discomfort after the procedure, but serious side effects are rare. It is important to follow your dentist’s post-procedure instructions and to contact them if you have any concerns.

Is laser dentistry more expensive than traditional dentistry?

The cost of laser dentistry may vary depending on the type of procedure and the dentist’s location. In some cases, laser dentistry may be more expensive than traditional dentistry, but it can also offer a more precise and efficient treatment option. It’s always best to consult with a dentist and get a quote for the specific treatment you need.