Laser Dentistry
For patients who do not look forward to needles, drilling, or numbness, Laser Dentistry may be the right choice. Laser dentistry uses a laser that delivers energy in the form of light. This energy travels at different wavelengths and is absorbed by a “target,” which can consist of enamel, decay, gum tissue, or whitening enhancers. Each one absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting others and can be used for both tooth and soft tissue related procedures. Oftentimes no local anesthesia is required. Unlike with the dental drill, with laser dentistry there is no heat or vibration, making the procedure quite comfortable for most patients. For soft tissue (surgical) procedures it eliminates the need for suturing and healing is much faster.
Lasers can be used to diagnose cavities and find hidden decay in teeth in early stages, and in some cases the decay can be reversed through hygiene and fluoride treatment and may never need filling.
Areas of dental care that benefit from laser technology:
- Cavity diagnosis and removal
- Curing, or hardening, bonding materials
- Whitening teeth
- Periodontal or gum related, care
- Pediatric procedures
- Apthous Ulcer treatment (canker sore)
- Frenectomy (tongue-tie release) without anesthesia or sutures
- Root canals and apicoectomies
- Crown lengthening, gingivectomy, and other gum corrections