A Guide to Laser Dentistry

Dental science has evolved dramatically over the last two decades. The incorporation of advanced technologies has made the diagnosis and treatment of dental ailments easier. Dentists can now focus on preventive methods so that pain and uneasiness can be reduced. Of late medical professionals have started incorporating lasers for medical treatment. Houston Heights dentistry also uses laser beams to treat specific dental issues.

Use of Laser Beam in Dentistry

Laser dentistry is the latest incorporation in dental treatment. Until 1994 the use of laser in dental treatment was not known. Approved by the FDA, laser dentistry has emerged as an alternative to specific traditional dental treatments for treating cavities or dental sensitivity.

Although laser dentistry is somewhat new in the dental treatment arena, medical professionals have been using laser beams to remove or alter tissues and perform certain surgeries. Dentists use laser beams to perform various tasks, including reshaping the gums, eliminating cavities, removing oral tissues surgically, or even whitening teeth. Laser dentistry works wonders with pediatric dentists as children are fearful of dental instruments.

LASER is the acronym for Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A dentist near you uses an instrument to create a narrow and focused beam of light that reacts with the tissues to remove or reshape them, depending on the intensity of the laser beam.

What Laser Dentistry Can Treat?

Laser dentistry is a comfortable, cost-effective, and efficient mode of dental treatment. An obvious question might cross your mind that “does laser dentistry hurt?” An honest answer is that laser dentistry is not entirely painless. Instead, it is more precise than the traditional modes of dental surgeries, causes less bleeding, and minimizes the use of anesthesia. Laser dentistry near you can treat:

• Root canal infections.
• Gum inflammations.
• Reshaping of the gums.
• Exposing or erupting the wisdom teeth.
• Removing throat tissues to treat sleep apnea.
• Removing oral tumors.
• Treating periodontal diseases.
• Regenerating damaged nerves due to trauma.
• Biopsies and oral cancer screening
• Teeth sensitivity.
• Whitening of teeth.
• Temporomandibular joint disorder treatments.
• Minimizing and treating cold sores.

How Laser Dentistry Works?

The initial process of laser dentistry resembles that of traditional dentistry. You might also be administered with local anesthesia if you do not wish to experience the slightest of pain and discomfort. Sedation dentistry also amalgamates with laser dentistry as sedation can reduce anxiety.

Laser dentistry is a smooth dental procedure, and you would not experience the vibrations and discomfort experienced while cleaning the cavities with a drill. The amount of bleeding is also minimal, and recovery time is short. You can expect not to have an open would like that of a scalpel procedure. The laser beam performs the task of cutting and vaporizing the tissues during surgery and acts as a catalyst to enhance the activity of bleaching agents during teeth whitening.

Pros and Cons of Laser Dentistry

Every treatment has benefits as well as disadvantages. The benefits of laser dentistry are:

• Minimum bleeding during soft tissue procedure as laser treatment promotes blood clotting.
• Laser dentistry nullifies open wounds and promotes tissue regeneration. Thus, wounds heal faster.
• The surrounding tissues are not damaged as the laser beam is a precise ray of high-intensity light that can be focused only on the desired area.
• Reduces the use of anesthesia.
• Laser beams sterilize the area and reduce the chances of bacterial activities.
• Laser dentistry reduces the need for sutures while performing soft tissue treatment.

The cons of laser dentistry are:

• If you have dental fillings, laser beams would not be effective.
• Laser dentistry is not effective for dental fillings between teeth or around large cavities.
• Laser treatment is more expensive than traditional dental treatments. You might need to shell out $100000 for shaping and cutting teeth with a laser beam.
• Hard lasers might cause injury to the pulp.
• Laser beams do not nullify the discomfort from drills or anesthesia, and both can be needed according to the dental structure.

Choosing the Laser Dentist

The Dentists at 650 Heights can be your laser dentistry in Houston, TX. With a promotional offer of $100 per month, we offer a wide variety of services, including dental implants, crowns, laser dentistry, root canals, smile makeovers, dental veneers, periodontal treatment, and teeth whitening. Dr. Alicia Valentini and our team strive to offer high-quality care. You may book an appointment and experience the difference.