Hearing “laser dentistry” might sound quite futuristic—and it certainly is an advanced technology compared to early dental techniques! But you might be wondering what laser dentistry actually is. At Accent Smile Center, this is a type of treatment we are very familiar with, and we want to answer all of your questions about it. Let’s dive in.
The Basic Definition
Laser dentistry can be used for a pretty long list of procedures and is advantageous for a variety of reasons. Lasers are capable of performing extremely precise and minimally invasive treatments, allowing for a more comfortable experience for our patients overall. Different types of lasers have specific wavelengths and applications. Every patient can respond in slightly different ways to laser treatment since the tissues in our mouth and body aren’t all exactly alike.
To keep things simple, you can observe two main categories of laser dentistry:
- Soft Tissue Procedures: These usually involve gum tissue and other soft tissues in the oral cavity.
- Examples: Gingival reshaping, gum disease treatment, lesion removal, oral ulcer treatment, and crown lengthening.
- Hard Tissue Procedures: These applications include things like teeth and bones.
- Examples: Cavity detection, tooth preparation for fillings, root canals, and bone reshaping.
Other Laser Procedures
There are a number of other treatments for which lasers are ideal. Here are a few you might ask about:
- Teeth Whitening: Lasers can enhance the effects of tooth-whitening agents.
- Periodontal Treatment: Gum disease can often be effectively helped using dental lasers. It can help with issues like pain management, healing tissue, and improving overall tissue strength. You can find out a bit more about this procedure on this page of our website.
- Tongue and Lip Ties: This condition can arise in infant patients. When the frenulum isn’t properly shaped, it can inhibit the actions of the lips or tongue. This usually manifests in breastfeeding issues but can cause a wider variety of issues as a child ages. A laser is the least invasive solution for this issue. Dr. Gatgens has even performed this treatment (also called a frenectomy) on his own son with wonderful results.
- Dental Surgery: Lasers are utilized in a number of other surgical procedures, such as in the removal of oral lesions and in performing biopsies to check for oral cancer. It’s also a key part of many dental implant treatments at multiple stages.
- Cavity Detection: Lasers can detect early tooth decay by measuring changes in tooth enamel. It allows for prompt intervention and minimally invasive treatment when possible.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Just remember, not all procedures are enhanced by laser use, but a lot are! Here are some of the main benefits of this technology for patients like you:
- Precision: This special degree of precision can be handy for delicate procedures, especially when dealing with softer tissues and cavity preparation.
- Minimized Discomfort: Thanks to that precision, surrounding tissues are less likely to be damaged, which reduces issues like pain, swelling, and even the need for anesthesia in some cases.
- Reduced Bleeding: Lasers have coagulating properties, which means they aid in sealing blood vessels during surgery, thereby helping stop bleeding. This is especially evident in soft tissue treatment.
- Faster Healing: In a similar vein, the reduced trauma to tissues allows for faster healing time than invasive procedures. Patients will likely experience significantly less postoperative discomfort, meaning a quicker resumption of normal activities.
- Versatility: Different types of lasers can be used for a variety of dental procedures, making them adequate for addressing a number of different problems.
- Reduced Risk of Infection: Lasers also have sterilizing effects, which discourage bacterial infections during dental procedures. Gums are usually at the highest risk for infection without laser treatment.
- Less Noise and Vibration: Compared to traditional dental drills, lasers produce less noise and vibration, which can be comforting to patients who have certain sensory sensitivities.
- Specialized Training: The use of laser technology means undergoing extensive training that ensures your doctor completes procedures safely and effectively.
- Improved Patient Experience: As a result of all of these factors, a patient can expect a more positive experience overall. It can help with dental anxiety, too.
We Know Precisely How To Help!
Laser dentistry is an incredible solution for so many of our patients. Our goal at Accent Smile Center, as your provider, is always to make your experiences with us go as smoothly as we can manage, and this tool can play a part in that! We’re honored to serve the Dickson community with our advanced resources and treatments. If you’re interested in an appointment with us, you can give us a call at 615-802-7968.