Modern Dental Practice: What Is Laser Dentistry?

Lasers are used to treat oral conditions both surgical and non-surgical. It was first introduced in 1989 and since then, laser dentistry has grown to become a crucial procedure in modern dental practice.In this article, we'll tell you how laser treatments in dentistry work and discuss some of the benefits you can expect from undergoing a laser procedure.

How does laser dentistry work?

Laser treatments involve a thin beam of extremely sharp light to deliver energy to a particular oral tissue so that it can be cut or molded. The lasers used are different from the ones used in other fields of medicine such as phototherapy.Lasers used here can be categorised into hard tissue and soft tissue lasers. Hard tissue lasers are normally used for teeth as they have a stronger wavelength, while soft tissue layers are used for gums, tongue and crowns.

What to expect during a laser treatment

A laser dental treatment is pretty much the same as any other treatment you'll get at your dentist's office. The first thing you should do is to book an appointment. On the day of the appointment, your dentist will examine your mouth and tell you whether you'll need the procedure.During the procedure, here's what will happen:

• Your dentist will have you wear special glasses to protect your eyes from the laser.
• There will be no drilling in the teeth.
• You won't experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
• Your dentist will use the laser to remove or reshape the tissue depending on the type of oral problem you have.
• You'll experience minimal bleeding during the procedure and it will be controlled -- and significantly less than what you'll experience when undergoing traditional dental procedures.

What to expect after a laser treatment

After receiving laser treatment for your oral condition, here are a few things you should expect.

• Chances of getting an infection will be considerably low.
• If the treatment is conducted well, you'll have minimal or zero pain and swelling after.
• However, if you experience severe discomfort after 48 hours, contact your dentist and get the underlying problem fixed.

Which conditions can be treated with laser dentistry?

Laser treatments can be used to treat several oral conditions. Some of them include:

• Tooth decay. Lasers are used to kill the bacteria in a cavity, remove the decayed parts and prepare the enamel for dental fillings.
• Laser treatments can also treat tooth sensitivity by sealing tubules on the tooth's root.
• Lasers can also be used to treat 'gummy smiles' by reshaping the gum tissue.
• Lasers can also conduct a frenectomy where the frenulum (the tiny fold of skin that anchors the tongue to the mouth floor) is slightly reshaped to allow easier chewing and talking.
• Crown lengthening procedures can also utilize lasers in reshaping gum tissue and bones to ensure you get a health tooth structure.
• Lasers can help remove benign oral tumors and help reduce pain and swelling in the Temporomandibular joints.
• Your dentist can also use lasers to remove ill-fitting tooth restorations such as dentures without pain.
• Lasers can also help regenerate damaged nerves, blood vessels and reduce the appearance of scars.
• Lastly, laser treatments can be used to speed up teeth whitening procedures.

Benefits of using laser dentistry

The dentist's chair is something many adults and almost all children fear. However, with laser treatments, everything gets a little bit easier. Are you still in doubt? Well, here are the main reasons you should consider getting this procedure.

• Reduced pain and fast healing.
• Less damage to surrounding teeth and tissue.
• Reduced chances of getting an infection.
• Minimized bleeding and reduced anxiety in most patients.

What are the disadvantages?

Laser treatments may be quick and painless, but they still have a few cons you should be aware of. First, lasers can't be used on teeth with fillings already set in place. They also can't be used to remove damaged crowns, fillings or bridges.Some laser procedures may still require anesthesia and hard lasers can damage the tooth's pulp if handled improperly. Finally, laser treatments can be more expensive than traditional dental procedures.

Are there any risks associated with laser dentistry?

The risks associated with laser treatments are significantly low. As we mentioned earlier in the article, laser dentistry comes with minimal bleeding and lower chances of getting infections.Still, these procedures should be performed by a certified dentist. In the wrong hands, a laser can damage tissue and cause bigger oral problems. So ensure you look for a professional who's undergone appropriate training and read reviews to avoid future problems.Final thoughtsTake care of your smile by brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing and eating healthy foods. If you have a cavity or any other oral problem that may require laser treatment, visit your dentist and they'll advise you on the most appropriate action to take.Looking to get your teeth checked? Try scheduling an appointment with your certified dentist today!Lasers are used to treat oral conditions both surgical and non-surgical. It was first introduced in 1989 and since then, laser dentistry has grown to become a crucial procedure in modern dental practice.In this article, we'll tell you how laser treatments in dentistry work and discuss some of the benefits you can expect from undergoing a laser procedure.How does laser dentistry work?Laser treatments involve a thin beam of extremely sharp light to deliver energy to a particular oral tissue so that it can be cut or molded. The lasers used are different from the ones used in other fields of medicine such as phototherapy.Lasers used here can be categorised into hard tissue and soft tissue lasers. Hard tissue lasers are normally used for teeth as they have a stronger wavelength, while soft tissue layers are used for gums, tongue and crowns.What to expect during a laser treatmentA laser dental treatment is pretty much the same as any other treatment you'll get at your dentist's office. The first thing you should do is to book an appointment. On the day of the appointment, your dentist will examine your mouth and tell you whether you'll need the procedure.During the procedure, here's what will happen:

• Your dentist will have you wear special glasses to protect your eyes from the laser.
• There will be no drilling in the teeth.
• You won't experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
• Your dentist will use the laser to remove or reshape the tissue depending on the type of oral problem you have.
• You'll experience minimal bleeding during the procedure and it will be controlled -- and significantly less than what you'll experience when undergoing traditional dental procedures.

What to expect after a laser treatmentAfter receiving laser treatment for your oral condition, here are a few things you should expect.

• Chances of getting an infection will be considerably low.
• If the treatment is conducted well, you'll have minimal or zero pain and swelling after.
• However, if you experience severe discomfort after 48 hours, contact your dentist and get the underlying problem fixed.

Which conditions can be treated with laser dentistry?Laser treatments can be used to treat several oral conditions. Some of them include:

• Tooth decay. Lasers are used to kill the bacteria in a cavity, remove the decayed parts and prepare the enamel for dental fillings.
• Laser treatments can also treat tooth sensitivity by sealing tubules on the tooth's root.
• Lasers can also be used to treat 'gummy smiles' by reshaping the gum tissue.
• Lasers can also conduct a frenectomy where the frenulum (the tiny fold of skin that anchors the tongue to the mouth floor) is slightly reshaped to allow easier chewing and talking.
• Crown lengthening procedures can also utilize lasers in reshaping gum tissue and bones to ensure you get a health tooth structure.
• Lasers can help remove benign oral tumors and help reduce pain and swelling in the Temporomandibular joints.
• Your dentist can also use lasers to remove ill-fitting tooth restorations such as dentures without pain.
• Lasers can also help regenerate damaged nerves, blood vessels and reduce the appearance of scars.
• Lastly, laser treatments can be used to speed up teeth whitening procedures.

Benefits of using laser dentistryThe dentist's chair is something many adults and almost all children fear. However, with laser treatments, everything gets a little bit easier. Are you still in doubt? Well, here are the main reasons you should consider getting this procedure.

• Reduced pain and fast healing.
• Less damage to surrounding teeth and tissue.
• Reduced chances of getting an infection.
• Minimized bleeding and reduced anxiety in most patients.

What are the disadvantages?Laser treatments may be quick and painless, but they still have a few cons you should be aware of. First, lasers can't be used on teeth with fillings already set in place. They also can't be used to remove damaged crowns, fillings or bridges.Some laser procedures may still require anesthesia and hard lasers can damage the tooth's pulp if handled improperly. Finally, laser treatments can be more expensive than traditional dental procedures.Are there any risks associated with laser dentistry?The risks associated with laser treatments are significantly low. As we mentioned earlier in the article, laser dentistry comes with minimal bleeding and lower chances of getting infections.Still, these procedures should be performed by a certified dentist. In the wrong hands, a laser can damage tissue and cause bigger oral problems. So ensure you look for a professional who's undergone appropriate training and read reviews to avoid future problems.Final thoughtsTake care of your smile by brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing and eating healthy foods. If you have a cavity or any other oral problem that may require laser treatment, visit your dentist and they'll advise you on the most appropriate action to take.Looking to get your teeth checked? Try scheduling an appointment with your certified dentist today!Sources:https://www.healthline.com/health/laser-dentistryhttps://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/laser-use-dentistry#:~:text=Lasers%20are%20used%20to%20remove,Biopsy%20or%20lesion%20removal