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Technology in dentistry has reached its pinnacle of success in the past decade. A dentist near me search now provides you with dental clinics with tech-savvy and technologically well-versed clinicians. One such patient-friendly aspect of the dental world is laser dentistry.
What are medical-grade lasers and how are they applicable to dentistry?
LASER stands for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” Basically, it is a focused, razor-thin beam of light that strikes tissue and enables a reaction to either remove or shape the tissue. In the body, these tissues can be either hard or soft.
The FDA has cleared lasers in dentistry as an approved method of treatment. Biolase lasers are versatile and safe for use.
Laser Dentistry for Soft Tissue
Laser dentistry for soft tissue refers to procedures that work on your gums. These treatments include:
- Gum surgery also popularly called LANAP (Laser assisted new attachment procedure)
- Gum recontouring and reshaping
- Changing any incorrect painful muscle attachments in the mouth
- Getting rid of soft tissue folds (the ones formed after an extraction or due to ill-fitting dentures)
- Tongue-tie problem (the laser is used to cut the misplaced frenum attachment of the tongue)
Laser Dentistry for Hard Tissues:
Laser dentistry for hard tissue usually refers to procedures done on your teeth. These treatments include:
- Investigating tooth cavities
- Cavity cleaning and fillings
- Tooth shaping and dental crown measurements
- Laser teeth cleaning and tooth sensitivity treatment
The laser dentist near me can also perform a number of other procedures with the laser, such as:
Dental bleaching
The results of laser teeth whitening can last up to three years. It is a technique in which a laser device is used to activate the bleaching gel by focusing it on a small number of teeth at once. The whitening properties of the bleaching gel are activated when the laser heats it. Your teeth can be 16 shades whiter after a laser treatment.
Lasers in root canal therapy (RCT)
Chronic infections and weeping canals are treated with laser therapy or photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS).
TMD treatment
Low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) with a beam of wavelength between 830 nm and 904 nm is used to improve pain related to the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint disorders). It is also useful in cases of limited mouth opening and difficult chewing. They generate photoelectric effects that reduce nerve impulses and enable the muscles to heal. They also have an analgesic effect by boosting cellular respiration and better circulation to the concerned areas.
Nerve regeneration
Similar Low intensity laser therapy (LILT) is used in cases of myofascial pain and facial palsy.
Benign oral tumor removal
Lasers are used for a painless and zero-bleeding resection of non-cancerous tumors of the head and neck.
Sleep apnea support
Sleep-disordered breathing, particularly obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, can be treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) using Er: YAG lasers. To lessen or remove the obstructions, the soft tissues of the pharynx, and palate can be treated with laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)–recontouring of the uvula, and the soft palate.
The 5 must-know benefits of laser dentistry:
Patient-friendly and comfortable.
Your procedure will be much more comfortable as no sharp, hard dental tools or drills are used. Actually, you might not even need anesthesia.
It’s a no-sound dental procedure
The distinctive whirring sound of the dreaded drill sets off apprehension. With gentle and quiet laser dentistry, patients are delighted. Lasers are essentially a beam of high-energy light that is capable of cutting, trimming, and warming tissues—all without the pain or noise of a traditional dental drill.
Lasers do not cause bleeding at the site.
You won’t experience as much bleeding after the procedure is finished because the laser will encourage blood clotting.
Quick recovery
Laser dentistry speeds up the recovery period so you can resume your normal activities more quickly and comfortably than you might anticipate.
Fewer chances of post-operative infections.
Lasers sterilize the area where they are directed. They do not manipulate the adjacent areas. No additional abrasions or wounds are incurred. This helps to get rid of the majority of the bacteria there. As a result, there’s less risk of infection.
