Table of contents
What Is Laser Dentistry?
A laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Dental lasers have become increasingly widely used since their introduction in the 1990s, offering gentler and more precise treatment options.
A dental laser has a narrow, fully focused beam of light energy that can be used to remove or reshape tissues. These include hard tissues, such as bone and teeth, as well as soft tissues, including gums and other oral tissues. The tissues reshaped depend on the wavelength of the laser.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
The following are some of the benefits of laser dentistry.
Precision
The main benefits of laser dentistry are that it is extremely precise, thanks to the narrow beam of concentrated energy. This allows us to reshape or remove tissue with a high degree of accuracy.
Preserving Healthy Tissues
Laser dentistry enables us to remove diseased or damaged tissues while leaving the maximum amount of healthy tissue behind, making it a more conservative treatment.
Minimizing Bleeding
As the laser cuts soft tissue, the energy seals blood vessels, a process called thermal coagulation. This helps to reduce bleeding since blood clotting is promoted.
Faster Healing
Laser therapy, particularly in gum therapy, can facilitate faster healing and provide tissues with a better chance of regeneration through procedures like LANAP for advanced periodontitis.
Lower Risk of Infection
The laser energy helps to sterilize the treated areas, leaving behind fewer bacteria and reducing the risk of infection.
Anesthetic May Be Unnecessary
Depending on the procedure, we may not need to use any dental anesthetic.
No Need for Stitches
Because small blood vessels are automatically sealed, there is no need for stitching afterward.
Laser Gum Disease Therapy
One of the primary applications of laser dentistry is the treatment of gum disease. Treatment is far gentler and much more precise, and you can discover more about laser dentistry on the webpage dedicated to LANAP.
Other Treatments Performed with a Dental Laser
Numerous other treatments can be performed using laser dentistry, and we have outlined some of these applications below.
Laser Dentistry Hard Tissue Procedures
These procedures affecting teeth or bone can include:
- Tooth decay detection.A dental laser can be used for earlier detection of cavities.
- Laser cavity treatment. Using a laser to prepare a cavity eliminates the need for local anaesthetic and a traditional drill, and the laser energy can help kill bacteria in a cavity.
- Treating tooth sensitivity.A dental laser can treat teeth that are sensitive to temperature changes by sealing the dentin tubules exposed due to gum recession.
- Teeth whitening.If you have a teeth whitening treatment, such as Zoom whitening, we use a dental laser to help the whitening gel penetrate your tooth enamel more quickly and effectively.
- Root canal therapy.Using laser dentistry can help eliminate harmful bacteria more effectively, thoroughly cleaning out the root canals.
Laser Dentistry Soft Tissue Procedures
These are procedures affecting the gums or other oral tissues and can include:
- Treating a gummy smile.We can gently reshape gums, exposing more of the natural tooth underneath and enhancing aesthetics.
- Crown lengthening.When a tooth breaks off at the gum line, there may not be enough tooth structure to restore it properly. Laser dentistry can reshape the gum as well as the bone around the tooth, enabling us to restore it with a dental crown.
- Tongue tie.When the frenulum connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight, it can be released with a laser frenectomy. Treatment can be beneficial for children who experience difficulty feeding or have a speech impediment due to tongue tie.
- Reshaping gums for dentures. Laser dentistry can sometimes be used to reshape gums, helping ill-fitting dentures to fit more snugly and comfortably.
- Treating cold sores.Laser dentistry can sometimes be used to treat cold sores in their early stages, enabling faster and more comfortable healing.
About Our Dental Lasers
Our dental office has several of the latest and most advanced dental lasers, which are:
- Waterlase iPlus®
This dental laser is capable of treating both hard and soft tissues, as well as bone.
- Millennium PerioLase MVP-7
This is a highly advanced dental laser that can effectively treat gum disease, helping to regenerate the tissues destroyed by periodontitis. We would use this laser for our LANAP treatments, amongst others.
- SiroLaser Advance Plus
This diode laser is designed to treat soft tissues and is extremely useful in periodontology and endodontics.
If you have questions about our dental lasers, please don’t hesitate to ask us for further information on how they work.
Is Laser Dentistry Safe?
Laser dentistry is a safe and FDA-approved treatment. Our dental lasers are all very modern and are properly maintained. Our dental team is thoroughly trained in the correct use of dental lasers, selecting the appropriate wavelength for each procedure.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for Laser Dentistry?
Ideal candidates are people who:
- Have dental anxiety or fears.
- Are interested in quieter treatments without the sound of a dental drill.
- Have gum disease.
- Are looking for minimally invasive treatments that can heal more quickly.
The benefits of laser dentistry are undeniable, and where appropriate, we will recommend using a dental laser for quicker, less invasive treatment. We may also incorporate laser dentistry into other dental procedures.
FAQs
-
Can Dental Laser Replace a Drill Completely?
Dental lasers are versatile, but there may be times when a dental drill is necessary. Sometimes we will use laser dentistry and a dental drill to achieve an optimal outcome for our patients.
-
Is Laser Dentistry Suitable for Children?
Laser dentistry can be used for children and is often extremely effective. If it is used, it is essential to ensure the dentist providing the laser therapy has received the appropriate training.
-
How Long Do Laser Treatments Take?
The time required depends on the procedure, but it can often be faster than conventional techniques, as there is often no need for dental anesthesia or stitches.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264