What is Laser Dentistry?

A laser is an instrument that produces a very narrow intense beam of light energy. In dentistry, when a dental laser comes in contact with tissue, it causes a reaction in which the light produced can remove or shape tissue.

The use of lasers in dentistry falls into three general categories:

• Disease Detection

• Soft Tissue Treatments

• Hard Tissue Treatments.

Lasers can also help locate dental calculus (tartar) beneath the surface of the gums, and can even aid in the detection of oral cancer in its early stages, accurately showing where healthy tissue ends and diseased tissue begins.

For the treatment of soft tissue problems, lasers have many advantages. They are minimally invasive tools that generally involve taking away less tissue than conventional methods. Used in gum surgery, for example, lasers can treat gum disease by killing harmful bacteria deep in pockets below the gum line, and removing the diseased tissue without harming the healthy tissue.

What can Laser Dentistry Treat?

Most issues laser dentistry treats are related to the gums. Some of these include:

• Canker sore and cold sore pain treatments (read more below).

• Treating root canal infections.

• Treating gum disease.

• Removing gum inflammation.

• Gum reshaping.

• Biopsies.

• Exposing wisdom teeth.

• Removing throat tissue that causes sleep apnea.

• Regenerating damaged nerves.

• Removing benign oral tumors.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

• Faster healing time.

• Less post operative pain.

• Patients are less likely to require stitches.

• Anesthesia may not be necessary.

• The laser will sterilize the gums, making infection less likely.

Laser DeEP CLEANING

Periodontal (or gum) disease occurs when the tissue and bone support that hold your teeth in place become infected. Without the proper support, your at risk for tooth loss. To effectively treat gum disease, you will need a deeper cleaning. This procedure reaches beneath the gum line to remove stubborn tartar build up.

Our hygienists use the laser along with scaling and root planing to remove the infected tissue and accelerate the healing process. The laser is more accurate when interacting with diseased tissue.  An added benefit is that the intense light creates a sterile environment around the new tissue, allowing it to heal more quickly.

Laser Dentistry and Canker Sores

Oral Apthous Ulcers (Canker Sores) are one of the most common types of mouth sores. They are painful round or oval ulcerations that form inside the mouth with a white membrane-coated center surrounded by a red border. (as shown in picture)

The gentle laser light is focused directly at the canker sore and promotes healing through “photo-biostimulation” deep within the tissues. Laser treatment is state-of-the-art and is extremely effective in treating oral mucosal sores on the lips and in the mouth.  It is a very quick and painless procedure.  No anesthetic is needed!

Are Dental Lasers Safe?

Yes, dental lasers are safe! Dental lasers have been used since 1990, and they have a history of very successful results.

When a laser procedure is performed, you will be asked to wear special eyeglasses to protect your eyes from the laser. This is similar to wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from prolonged exposure to the sun.