Laser Dentistry
Few days back, I was having a toothache. Therefore, I visited the dental clinic to get it checked and seek the treatment. At the dental clinic, I came to know about the latest dental technology known as laser dentistry. I was surprised to know its amazing benefits regarding the restoration of the teeth, tooth whitening and non-surgical gum procedures. These laser procedures are painless and comfortable for the patient. All the common complaints of traditional dentistry such as pain, possibility of bleeding and long recovery time can be eliminated with laser dentistry. The dental lasers work by generating energy in the form of light. When it is used for the dental procedures, it acts as a cutting instrument. When it is used to heal the filling, it helps to strengthen the bond between the tooth and the filling. During teeth whitening procedures, it acts as a heat source, promoting the effect of bleaching agents.
Benefits
Laser dentistry is useful in different aspects of dental health practice. It is an effective way to perform several dental procedures. This treatment option minimizes pain and recovery time. Those who opt for an extreme comfort and safety prefer a laser dentistry option. The dental procedures performed using lasers may not need sutures. Certain procedures don't even require anesthesia. As a high-energy laser beam causes coagulation of exposed blood vessels, bleeding during dental procedure is minimized and blood loss is effectively controlled. As this high-energy light beam sterilizes the area to be treated, there are fewer chances of bacterial infections. The surrounding tissue is also less damaged during the laser dentistry procedures. The tissues are regenerated and the wounds heal faster.
Applications
Laser dentistry can be applied to perform a wide variety of dental procedures. Following are some of the dental procedures, where the lasers can be applied:
- Dental lasers are used for suture-free and painless removal of benign tumors developed at the palate, gums, sides of cheeks and on the lips.
- The soft tissue dental lasers may be used for early detection of cavities in the tooth. These lasers can detect the by-products produced during tooth decay.
- Tooth and gum tissues can be safely viewed by using Optical Coherence Tomography.
- Low dentistry dental lasers can reduce the pain related to cold sores and also minimize the healing time.
- Dental lasers reshape the gum tissue and bone to ensure healthier tooth structure. Such reshaping is known as crown lengthening and it provides a strong foundation for the restoration.
- The hard tissue dental lasers minimize the need for local anesthesia and traditional turbine drill. Lasers used in the dental filling procedures can kill the bacteria located in the tooth cavity. This is helpful for a long-term tooth restoration.
- A laser frenectomy is beneficial for the children who have restricted or tight frenulum (tied tongue) and for the babies who are unable to breast-feed properly because of limited tongue movement. A laser frenectomy is also helpful to minimize speech impediments.
- Photobiomodulation can be applied to regenerate the damaged blood vessels, nerves and scars.
- In some cases, sleep apnea may result from a tissue overgrowth in the areas of throat, which may be related to aging. In such cases, a Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty (LAUP) or laser assisted uvuloplasty procedure is performed in order to reshape the throat and relieve the breathing problems related to sleep apnea.
- Dental lasers are used for suture-free and painless removal of soft tissue folds (Epulis) caused by ill-fitting dentures.
- The bleaching process associated with teeth whitening can be done effectively with low intensity soft tissue dental lasers.
- Laser dentistry is useful to reduce inflammation and pain of the temporomandibular jaw joint treatment.
- The gum tissue can be reshaped with dental lasers. It can help ensure a healthy tooth structure, and thus can improve the appearance of a gummy smile.
- The tubules located on the root of the tooth can be sealed using the dental lasers. These tubules are responsible for hot and cold sensitivity of a tooth.
Dental lasers cannot be used on the teeth that already have the fillings. You cannot apply lasers in many commonly performed dental procedures, e.g. lasers cannot be applied to fill in the cavities located between teeth, around the old fillings and the large cavities prepared for a crown. Besides that, you can't use lasers to remove silver fillings or defective crowns, or to prepare the teeth for bridges. The traditional dental drills are still required to shape and polish the filling, even though a laser is used. Laser treatment is relatively more expensive.
Laser dentistry is a painless and suture-free procedure that can be effectively used to eliminate number of dental problems. That's why many patients opt for this comfortable and convenient treatment option.
