Lasers Dentistry

When oral health issues arise, treatment is needed. For many years, many dental procedures have been invasive. A scalpel or other manual tools have been used that resulted in significant pain and swelling after treatment, as well as downtime following the procedure. Many patients avoid treatment because of a fear of pain. Over the years, numerous advancements have been made in the field of dentistry, making treatments easier, reducing pain, and lessening downtimes. At T-Town Smiles, we take advantage of these advances. One such technology that we utilize in our office is dental lasers.

What is a Laser Dentistry?

Lasers are tools that utilize a concentrated beam of light to alter or remove tissue. They have been in use for a while in other fields and were introduced into dentistry in the 1990s. Lasers offer a much less invasive way to perform a wide variety of different dental procedures. They are more accurate and cause less tissue trauma, reducing pain, swelling, and downtimes after treatment. They also provide a good option for those who suffer anxiety or fears of the dentist.

Types of Dental Lasers

There are two main types of dental lasers, hard tissue, and soft tissue.

• Hard tissue lasers. Hard tissue lasers are mainly used for your teeth, although they can be used on bone as well. The wavelength of light used for these lasers makes them able to cut through hydroxyapatite and water, both of which are found in the hard tissues. It can make cuts with extreme precision and are frequently used for the preparation of teeth for dental restorations.
• Soft tissue lasers. Soft tissue lasers use a wavelength that is absorbable by water and hemoglobin, a molecule found in blood. These lasers can cut through soft tissue and seal blood vessels at the same time, which greatly reduces the amount of bleeding you experience during procedures. They are highly accurate, reducing tissue trauma as well as pain and swelling, which then reduces your downtime.

There are also dental lasers that enable us to see the insides of your teeth. These lasers aid in the detection of cavities in their earliest stages, and in harder to see areas of your mouth.

What Can Lasers Dentistry Do?

Dental lasers can be used in a variety of different situations.

• Preparing teeth for dental restorations.
• Preparing cavities for fillings.
• Easing tooth sensitivity.
• Crown lengthening, or removing excess gum tissue and restoring the appearance of your smile.
• Gum reshaping or creating a more even gum line.
• Frenectomies. This procedure involves cutting the frenulum under the tongue or between the upper lip and the gums to correct a tongue or lip tie.
• Periodontal procedures.
• Cavity detection.
• Removing tumors.
• Removing excess tissues in the mouth, such as for treating sleep apnea.
• Teeth whitening.

Benefits of Dental Lasers

There are numerous benefits associated with lasers in dentistry. These benefits include:

• Some procedures may not need a local anesthetic.
• You may not require stitches after treatment.
• Reduced risk of infection. The laser sterilizes as it cuts.
• Reduced bleeding, pain, and swelling.
• Lasers stimulate tissue regeneration, aiding in faster healing.

Dental lasers have significantly improved the way in which many treatments are provided and have greatly increased the quality of care that we provide. Call T-Town Smiles today to learn more at (918) 481-4922.