Lasers are widely used in dental care. Specialists utilize laser beams at a close range to cut through soft or periodontal tissue without impacting uninfected parts of the oral cavity. These procedures became popular among patients because they are less painful and allow individuals to recuperate swiftly. Laser methods also help professionals change the shape of gums, remove excess tissue, and perform teeth whitening. Every experienced NY dentist recognizes the importance of adopting innovative teeth-treating methods. In this guide, we will examine the advantages of deploying such precision-based procedures.
What Is Laser Dentistry?
The term refers to the type of dental treatment that involves the deployment of laser tools to perform various procedures. Unlike traditional approaches, it is characterized by a shorter recovery time. Moreover, laser dentistry is associated with higher precision and lower pain levels. Lasers empower dentists to quickly remove affected tissue without harming a patient. Some types of treatment do not require sutures.
A special tool emits a high-energy beam that coagulates blood and minimizes bleeding. As laser also affects bacteria by preventing them from spreading, wounds heal faster. Laser dentistry demonstrated its effectiveness in the following areas:
- Gum disease treatment;
- Endodontic surgery;
- Tissue removal;
- Gingival contouring;
- Treatment of aphthous ulcers and cold sores.
Laser interventions cause less discomfort than classic methods of dental treatment. They rarely require anesthesia. After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made the usage of lasers legal in dentistry in the early 1990s, such tools became widely deployed.
Today, the FDA approves the use of lasers to treat all gum diseases. Due to the excellent precision of such tools, dentists can perform procedures with high accuracy. This method is popular among those interested in pain-free treatment and quick healing.
Why Use Laser Dentistry
Patients who fear classic dental treatment methods or want to try modern dental procedures that cause less discomfort choose laser dentistry. Those who worry about possible side effects of anesthesia also consider this approach.
When a dentist uses a regular drill, it’s impossible to avoid unpleasant feelings and vibrations. Traumatic experiences make many people reluctant to make appointments regularly. However, a dentist who uses a laser can fix many issues by following a tissue-sparing approach. Patients must adhere to simple rules and follow a doctor’s recommendations to keep the targeted areas clean and achieve swift recovery.
Below, we have outlined the most notable advantages of laser dentistry:
- Reduced bleeding: After traditional treatment, some patients suffer from excessive bleeding. In contrast, laser interventions are followed by quick blood coagulation and have a lower likelihood of infection. Individuals suffering from gum disease may experience gum bleeding issues. A dentist uses a laser to remove bacterial contamination and clean gum pockets. Thus, the utilization of lasers results in decreased periodontal swelling. As a laser beam kills bacteria effectively, it diminishes the threat of complications.
- Personalized approach: A dentist can change the laser beam’s wavelength to ensure a more relaxing experience. It makes it easier for a patient to stay still during the intervention.
- Expedited recovery: Laser tools stand out for their precision. They do not negatively impact teeth, gums, or tissues. A dentist uses a laser beam to treat affected tissues of the oral cavity. There is no need to deploy traditional handheld tools to perform the procedure. Using laser dentistry techniques, professionals sculpt or treat tissues without causing pain. After the procedure, a patient recovers better.
- Minimally invasive treatment: A laser beam does not cause vibration. It does not put any pressure on the treated area. In many cases, a dentist can perform the procedure without anesthesia. The deployment of lasers makes drills unnecessary.
As patients experience less discomfort, their experience becomes more positive. When using handheld drills, dentists often worry about damaging healthy teeth. Laser treatment methods allow specialists to avoid minor teeth fractures.
How Laser Dentistry Functions
Dentists use different types of lasers when treating soft tissues or dental structures. Each tool has a specific wavelength, which facilitates removing damaged tissue. When using a laser, it’s also possible to adjust the wavelength to avoid unnecessary damage.
Tools for treating hard tissues support a specific wavelength, making it easier for an oral health specialist to penetrate calcium phosphate. Such devices facilitate removing small parts of teeth to change their contour or make the necessary preparations before other treatment procedures. Hard-tissue lasers are also suitable for discovering hidden holes and fixing tooth sensitivity issues.
Gum surgery procedures involve the usage of soft tissue lasers. There are two types of tools used in such situations:
- Pulsed tools;
- Continuous-wave diode lasers.
These tools have a wavelength that allows a surgeon to minimize bleeding. Doctors use them to expedite recovery. Such lasers are invaluable for routine procedures. Moreover, such lasers are often used in aesthetic procedures. Experts deploy them to remodel patients’ gums, remove tissue, and perform a crown-lengthening surgical procedure. Such lasers cut through soft tissue without causing harm.
After a procedure, patients often experience immediate relief as lasers remove the affected tissues. The usage of such dedicated tools makes surgical and dental procedures less painful. They empower surgeons to cut through tissues or vaporize the fragments the tools come in contact with.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the oral cavity area that requires treatment, lasers are perfectly suitable for cutting through tissues, lifting gums, and performing other tasks in a minimally invasive way. Dental practitioners embrace such solutions as they enable them to diminish the time spent on treatment procedures and solve various dental and oral issues without causing discomfort to clients. Adopting pioneering treatment methods helps professionals deal with aesthetic issues easily and offer efficient treatment strategies to solve severe long-term issues causing serious harm.
After such procedures, clients often do not need to undergo invasive treatments, as such high-accuracy interventions deliver lasting results. Lasers streamline the treatment of periodontal disease. They effectively kill the bacteria causing the issue. Laser dentistry is an innovative method of treating various dental issues and improving an individual’s health outcomes.
