Lasers have moved beyond science fiction and are now a routinely used medical device. They are as likely to be used in the dental office as the surgical suite, giving rise to what is called laser dentistry. But what is laser dentistry exactly? And when is laser dentistry the right choice for you? Let’s take a closer look at laser dentistry and when it should be used. We’ll also discuss the rare cases when laser dentistry is not an option or only part of the full dental procedure.
What Is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry refers to any dental procedure using a laser instead of the alternatives. Lasers can be used to treat a variety of conditions involving soft or hard tissue. In every case, the light energy is concentrated and applied to a particular area.
This may be done to kill bacteria in the gums, remove tissue or treat some sort of condition. For example, laser dentistry can be used to treat gum disease, tooth decay, hypersensitivity and whiten teeth. Lasers can detect cavities too in the very early stages. However, lasers can’t be used on teeth with certain types of fillings.
What Are the Benefits of Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry is often more efficient and cost-effective than the alternatives. In many cases, it is more comfortable too.
You may be able to kill the bacteria in a cavity via laser instead of using a traditional drill, for instance. Some dentists use lasers to sterilize an area before they use a drill to do fillings to minimize the chance of new cavities forming in the area.
Lasers may allow a dentist to expose wisdom teeth without additional cutting. They can also be used to reshape one’s gums without a scalpel. When a patient requires surgery, they may need fewer sutures through laser too. This often eliminates the need to give the patient anesthesia as well.
Laser dentistry is an effective way to treat infections without drugs. This includes but is not limited to gum disease, root canal infections, canker sores, and cold sores. Laser surgery is routinely used to sterilize the gums before or after a surgical procedure, making infection less likely.
Is Laser Surgery Right for You?
Soft tissue lasers are an effective way of cutting soft tissue, making it ideal for cosmetic procedures. For example, it allows the dentist to remove folds of soft tissue created by wearing dentures. Lasers can be used to reshape the gums or lengthen one’s crowns. This is often a preparation step for placing restorations on teeth.
Lasers are a way to deal with restricted tongue movement or tumors without resorting to surgery. Clinics like Wayzata dental use lasers in a variety of ways and the list of applications is only growing. They’ll be able to look at your condition and see whether it would be the best option for you. You can learn more about them and the sort of procedures they offer at https://www.wayzatadental.com/.
Laser surgery is an excellent option for minor surgeries. And it may be done in conjunction with conventional medical surgery to minimize the odds of complications or reduce the pain and discomfort of the procedure. In the case of TMJ, laser dentistry reduces inflammation and pain in the joint without drugs or surgery.
Conclusion
Laser dentistry has been commercially available since 1989, but the number of ways it can be utilized is growing. Its many benefits make it the ideal choice for many patients, and one you should definitely consider on your next procedure.