Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry has been practiced since 1994 or over 25 years. The use of lasers in dentistry has been approved by the American Dental Association and the Food and Drug Administration for over 20 different procedures. Laser dentistry can be an alternative option over traditional methods for a number of different dental procedures. We’ll identify some of those benefits after we do a quick run-down of some of the more popular procedures today in which laser dentistry is being utilized.

The Different Procedures using Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is an innovative type of dental care. Lasers use a precise beam of light to remove both the soft tissue of the gums and sometimes the hard surface enamel of the teeth. Common procedures today are the reshaping or sculpting of the gum line to deal with gum disease or provide esthetic enhancement of the gum tissue. The laser can also remove inflamed gums from periodontal disease and treat canker sores and cold sores in the soft tissue. The laser is successful in removing tissue for a laboratory biopsy and removing throat tissue that has been determined to be the cause of sleep apnea. If you have an impacted wisdom tooth the laser could be utilized to expose that tooth. They can even help with root canal procedures. Removing cavities from teeth can even be done without the annoying high speed dental drill.

The Benefits achieved from Laser Dentistry

We can look at qualitative and quantitative benefits. Many Americans suffer from dental anxiety and dental phobia. The thought of dental appointments can be stressful for some people which can lead to anxiety before an appointment is even scheduled. It has been proven that laser dentistry can help some of these patients with these feelings. The laser can eliminate the use of a high-speed drill when it comes to removing cavities. It can also make a difference when it is used versus a surgical scalpel with soft tissue removal. This also allows your dentist to use less anesthesia in many of these procedures. Because of how the laser works, less blood loss occurs when removing gum tissue due to the fact that it cuts and cauterizes the tissue at the same time. This means there is typically less discomfort after the procedure. In many of these common procedures the recovery can be considerably faster with the healing process easier since there has been less tissue trauma. It will eliminate the need for sutures which means the recovery period is often shorter after the procedure.

Are you a Candidate for Laser Dentistry?

We all respond to surgery differently. A discussion with your dentist will identify the benefits and any risks when it comes to choosing laser dentistry instead of a traditional method. A laser procedure may be more expensive so that will be a factor in making your decision. Your dentist must also undergo special certification to use the laser properly and safely in their practice. We love options. It may be applicable for one procedure but then not for another.