You’ve heard about lasers being used for medical procedures and surgeries, vision correction, and for cosmetic procedures such as hair removal or treating wrinkles. But what about their use in dentistry? Believe it or not, lasers are becoming an increasingly common tool in the dental office. We are using them to enhance the everyday procedures – and some not-so-everyday procedures.
We all long for the TV commercial-style trip to the dentist, where our teeth are cleaned, the dentist does a quick once-over, and then tells us everything looks great! But when that quick once-over turns into bad news – you have a cavity, you need a root canal, or you are losing critical bone support around your teeth, etc. – you fear the worst, right?
Dental lasers, though, are slowly changing that picture. Using a light beam of energy, lasers can cut or vaporize hard tissue (tooth structure) as well as soft tissue (gums), usually with a lot less pain compared to conventional procedures. Because each laser targets a specific type of tissue, they are also able to address a specific area while leaving surrounding tissues intact. Here are some uses for dental lasers:
- Detect cavities
- Assist in preparing a tooth for a filling
- Reduce tooth sensitivity
- Change the shape of your gums to improve your smile
- Remove benign tumors
- Enhance tooth-whitening procedures
- Eliminate cold sores (fever blisters) once and for all
- Improve gum and bone health that support your teeth
For those a bit anxious about a trip to the dentist, it’s good to know that lasers can make the visit a little easier. Lasers can also help blood to clot, and reduce bleeding or swelling associated with procedures that involve “cutting,” as well as the need for stitches.
If you are interested in learning more, check out our Dental Technology page to see all the types of lasers we offer during your visit. Contact our office with any questions or concerns you have.
