Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is an approach which involves the use of lasers to treat various dental conditions. It has the appeal of performing most procedures with a greater level of comfort to patients than by using the tools necessary for traditional dentistry. Laser dentistry is relatively new, having only been introduced in the year 1989.

There are several types of lasers which are commonly used in the industry today, each one having its own special characteristics and capabilities. The ones most often used are Erbium, Nd:YAG, Diode, and CO2. Each one of these has its own biological effects, and is best suited for specific types of dental procedures.

When used in hard tissue applications, lasers can be very effective in treating dentinal hypersensitivity, growth modulation, bleaching, caries prevention, restorative curing and removal, and cavity preparation. In soft tissue applications, lasers are often used to treat removal of hyperplastic tissue, lengthening of crowns, wound healing, and re-shaping gum tissue.

There will always be a faster healing time associated with laser dentistry, simply because it is far less invasive than any traditional treatment. There will also generally be less bleeding involved and less pain or discomfort felt by the patient. In many cases, it is not necessary to administer any kind of anesthesia to the patient, because the laser process does not trigger any pain or discomfort. Since lasers are extremely precise, very little healthy tissue ever gets affected, and a patient is much less likely to need stitches after laser treatment. There is also much less chance of any kind of infection occurring during a procedure, because lasers are sterile devices and do not promote any kind of infection.

Patients who are treated with laser therapy can expect a far different post-operative experience than they would following a traditional dental procedure. For one thing, there is not nearly as much pain involved, so you won’t have to be using over-the-counter pain-killers. There will also be much less bleeding, so you won’t have to hold a towel to your mouth, or perhaps an ice pack. You probably won’t have to worry about any infection developing, because lasers are sterile devices and do not promote infection in the body. Lastly, you can expect that you’ll need much less time to recover from a laser treatment, because it is a minimally invasive kind of procedure.

If you’d like to have your dental procedure performed by the most modern dental technology available, contact us today at Ammons Dental by Design, so we can determine if laser therapy would be right for you. Lasers can handle many of today’s dental procedures, and if it is capable of performing the work you need done, we may be able to arrange a laser solution for your issue. You’ll love experiencing a pain-free session, and a much smoother follow-up in the aftermath of laser treatment.