While you may be familiar with laser treatments in the medical and cosmetic surgery fields, you may be surprised to learn that laser treatments are also used in dentistry. You may be aware of laser whitening treatments, but lasers provide a variety of other benefits when it comes to oral care. Do standard drills and sharp dental devices give you nightmares and make you stay away from going to the dentist regularly? Then laser dentistry could be just what you’re looking for.
Although not yet considered standard practice in many dental clinics, lasers to treat complex and soft tissue dental disorders are quickly expanding and are available at Magical Smiles. When used, focused light beams target diseased or damaged tissue, and in most instances, this minimally invasive approach provides patients with many advantages over traditional dental treatment choices.
Get ready to be blown away, as this blog post will broaden your horizons and discuss what Laser dentistry is. So, read on and keep an eye out for this!
Contents Navigation
- What is Laser Dentistry?
- Types of Lasers Used in Dentistry
- The Erbium Group of Lasers
- How is Laser Used in Dentistry
- Benefits of Laser Dentistry
- How to Know If Laser Dentistry is for You
- How Do Lasers Work in Dentistry?
- Possible Side Effects Associated with Laser Dentistry
- Who Can Perform Laser Dental Treatments?
- Final Thoughts
What is Laser Dentistry?
The term “laser” stands for light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation. It simply refers to when a dentist treats a patient with a laser. A dental laser treats dental problems by emitting a thin but concentrated beam of light energy. Since the laser essentially eliminates heat, pressure, and vibrations, the dental patient will experience significantly less pain, if not no pain at all. For example, using a laser means no longer needing anesthesia when getting a cavity filled.
When a dentist chooses to employ lasers during dental operations, they use one of the most advanced dental technologies available today. Not only is dental laser technology extraordinarily safe and effective, but it is also incredibly flexible, as it may be utilized for a wide variety of dental procedures.
Types of Lasers Used in Dentistry
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers: Carbon dioxide lasers are ideal for quickly removing soft tissue. However, it is often costly, bulky, and prone to causing damage to hard tissue. However, by utilizing it, minimum tissue penetration is achieved, which leads to a rapid procedure.
- Diode Lasers: Diode lasers are a particular kind of soft tissue laser. If you've ever used a laser pointer, you'll recognize that diode lasers operate similarly. They are often small and inexpensive, which makes them a popular choice in the field of dentistry. Diode lasers are utilized in various dental procedures, including laser tooth whitening, impression troughing, and gingivectomies. Their primary application is for intraoral soft tissue operations, which encompass a wide variety of procedures.
- Nd-YAG Lasers: The Nd-YAG laser is also indicated for the treatment of soft tissues due to its high absorption by pigmented tissue. It has a substantially greater penetration depth than the carbon dioxide laser. As with the previous type, this laser is excellent for cutting soft tissue; it also delivers excellent healing and a clear, visible operating field. It is mainly used for gum and sulcular debridement in the treatment of periodontal disease, LANAP, and soft tissue surgical procedures, but it can also be used to remove pre-cancerous teeth, treat aphthous ulcers, and perform root canal treatments.
- Argon Lasers : These lasers are incredibly safe to use on gingival tissues since they do not damage the hard tooth materials. They are utilized to treat periodontal disease due to their bactericidal properties. The primary application of argon lasers is curing composite resins, which significantly strengthens the material.
The Erbium Group of Lasers
- Erbium: YAG: This laser is mainly used to remove cavities. It is safe for the pulp because of the laser wavelength and low penetration. Tooth cavities can be eliminated painlessly due to the numbing action of laser light. Moreover, extra anesthesia is not required in the vast majority of cases. The margins of the preparation are exceptionally accurate and neat. The laser light disinfects and cleans the dentin and enamel surfaces, which leads to better bonding adherence. The vibrations are barely audible, adding to the patient's comfort throughout the procedure. Furthermore, this laser can be used to disinfect root surfaces before applying fissure sealants.
- Erbium-Cr: YSGG:This laser is often used on hard tissues, although there have been several recent attempts to utilize it on soft tissues as well. Its primary indication is the elimination of cavities with rough surfaces that promote bonding. This is a very promising type of laser that may one day be used on all sorts of tissue.
How is Laser Used in Dentistry
- Cut down on the discomfort associated with canker and cold sores.
- Expose partially erupted wisdom teeth.
- Gum tissue management is necessary while taking impressions for crowns or other operations.
- Removing tissues that have grown out of control due to some drugs.
- Gum disease can be treated more effectively by removing inflammatory gum tissues.
- During crown lengthening procedures, gum and bone structures are removed or reshaped.
- Help in the treatment of infections in root canals.
- Increase the efficiency of teeth whitening processes.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Aside from reducing or eliminating pain during dental procedures, laser dentistry provides patients with a wide variety of benefits. These can include:
- Some procedures do not require anesthesia.
- Reduced risk of bacterial infections: lasers sterilize the area while it is being treated.
- Stitches are no longer required in several procedures.
- Less bleeding due to the laser's ability to promote blood clotting
- Healing times are reduced.
- Pain and swelling after the procedure are reduced.
- Less damage to surrounding tissue: lasers' focused light allows the dentist to focus on the injured tissue while leaving healthy tissue untouched.
- Less anxiety, more comfort. For many individuals, the sound of a dental drill is enough to keep them away from the dentist. Laser treatments are very painless and silent, allowing patients to feel more at ease and calm throughout treatment.
- Less reliance on medications and antibiotics following treatment.
How to Know If Laser Dentistry is for You
Laser dentistry depends on various factors, including the type of dental procedure required, the state of your gums, and the overall condition of your teeth. You must consult with a trained and experienced dentist for laser dentistry to determine if you are a good fit for this sort of dental care.
Your dentist can examine your teeth and gums, as well as other factors, before determining whether you can have this kind of dental work done. If you are not a good candidate, your dentist can discuss other treatment options with you.
How Do Lasers Work in Dentistry?
All lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light. When utilized in surgical and dental treatments, the laser serves as a cutting instrument or vaporizer of the tissue it makes contact with. When used in teeth-whitening operations, the laser functions as a source of heat, boosting the action of tooth-whitening substances.
Possible Side Effects Associated with Laser Dentistry
One thing you’ll notice about laser dentistry is that the adverse effects, while rare, are significantly less severe than some of the things that can go wrong with traditional dentistry. This, combined with the ease of use, makes it a good choice.
Many laser dental procedures can be performed. Almost all traditional dental practices can now be completed faster and more efficiently with laser treatment.
While laser dentistry has far fewer side effects, these are the two most common concerns:
Hard lasers can sometimes cause tooth pulp damage.
This is an understandable concern. Nobody wants to witness something like this. It can be expensive and painful. This is natural when a tooth is fractured or knocked out. It usually results in much discomfort, and the tooth needs to be repaired later on. In dentistry, lasers can encourage tissue growth. If this condition arises spontaneously, you may choose to seek the assistance of a laser dentist professional to repair it. Injury to the tooth’s pulp can be avoided and is extremely unlikely. You won’t have to worry about this if your therapy is provided by a true professional.
There is a possibility of gum injury.
Gum damage is the second most common risk in laser dentistry. Gum injury can happen in any dental procedure, not just laser dentistry. It happens when your gum tissue is destroyed due to the overuse of a tool or the misdirection of dental lasers. Laser dentistry can help with gum damage for the same reasons that it can help with pulp (nerve) damage in your teeth. When used, lasers clean the area around the teeth and gums while promoting blood clotting. A laser dentist specialist would be able to help you a lot if your gums were damaged during a dental procedure.
What to Expect During Laser Dental Treatment
The first step is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Following the dentist’s identification of the problems you are suffering from and recommending laser treatment, here are some of the things that usually happen during the procedure:
- Laser treatments, like tooth fillings, are relatively simple.
- The laser handles all of the work, so there is no drilling in the teeth.
- The laser causes no pain or discomfort to the patient.
- You may bleed during the treatment, which the dentist will immediately stop.
- The dentist will ask you to open your mouth to treat dental problems.
How Long Do Laser Dental Treatments Last?
Dentists typically perform the laser treatment over two to three-hour sessions. Each session focuses on one half of the mouth. Patients are usually required to return for two follow-up visits to confirm that the gum is healing correctly. Because the recovery time is frequently less than 24 hours, patients can usually resume their regular tasks on the same day as the surgery.
Overall, laser therapy may take as long as traditional surgery, which typically requires several sessions and office visits to complete. Furthermore, traditional surgery requires a recovery period of two to four weeks, yet many individuals choose laser treatment because it is less painful.
The Cost of Laser Dental Treatment
The actual cost of a particular laser dentistry procedure is based on the treatment. We can begin with tooth whitening. The energy of a laser beam is frequently used to accelerate the peroxide bleaching process. Depending on the market, the range might be anywhere from approximately $704-$1688. Gumline sculpting is a popular method with various advantages. The cost might range from about $70 per tooth to over $492 for each tooth. In this scenario, the tissue’s condition influences the other factors.
For diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, lasers are increasingly being used to retrieve biopsy samples. These procedures are difficult to estimate the cost of. Lasers can also eliminate cavities in teeth to prepare them for fillings. A standard high-speed drill could cost around $844, whereas laser treatment could cost nearly $1,046.
The cost of exposing an impacted wisdom tooth is impossible to calculate without knowing the end goal. Lasers can now treat root canal infections, and the expense is included in a larger package.
Is Laser Dentistry Dangerous?
The dangers of laser dentistry are minimal. It’s essential to pick a professional dental expert because employing the wrong wavelength or power level might cause tissue damage. Furthermore, your dentist will have you wear protective glasses to protect your eyes from the laser.
Who Can Perform Laser Dental Treatments?
A trained, knowledgeable, and professional dentist can perform laser dental treatment.
Look for a qualified dentist for laser treatment who has completed educational courses and got the necessary training. Dental schools, dental associations, and the Academy of Laser Dentistry are popular educational sources (ALD).
Final Thoughts
At Magical Smiles, we work hard to deliver the most advanced dental technology to the region. Unlike most dental offices, which have a typical, clinical air, we strive to make it a friendly and engaging environment for all who enter. When you visit Magical Smiles, you can expect a fantastic experience! Call us at (03) 8386 7004 today to learn more about dentistry and how it can help you.