Lasers Are the Future of Dentistry

The procedure is safe, accurate, and almost pain free. Laser dentistry eliminates the heat, vibration, and pressure normally associated with the dental drill. Traditional drilling can cause hairline cracks and fractures in the teeth, which laser dentistry does not. In fact, laser dentistry offers a number of clear benefits:

First, sutures following surgery will be unnecessary. Second, the need for anesthesia may be eliminated. Third, laser dentistry reduces bleeding, since the high-energy beam of light can close up open veins and blood vessels. Fourth, the laser beam can kill harmful bacteria. Firth, the laser is so focused that it minimizes damage to surrounding tissue. Sixth, the procedure reduces pain around the jaw joint. Seventh, the procedure is shorter in duration and healing time. Eighth, wounds are able heal quickly and tissues are able to regenerate..

Laser dentistry replaces the physically rough, noisy, messy encounter patients usually experience in the dental office with quiet, clean, and efficient high-energy light beams. Here are some common dental procedures that can be performed with lasers:

One, lasers can detect cavities and diseased gum tissue. Two, the technique can evaporate tooth decay. Three, lasers can rapidly cure dental fillings. Four, the procedure can remove old composite fillings. Five, lasers can speed the work of bleaching agents in teeth whitening procedures. Six, lasers have the capacity to reshape gum tissues and bones. Seven, the technique can lengthen crowns. Eight, lasers can heal cold sores in less time. Nine, the procedure can remove benign tumors from gums, palate, interior of cheeks, and lips. Ten, lasers can eliminate bacteria from periodontal pockets. Eleven, laser techniques can seal exposed tubules that are the source of tooth sensitivity to heat and cold.

So how does it work? Well lasers focus energy into a tiny point, similar to the way a magnifying glass can be used with the sun’s energy to start a fire. In the case of soft-lasers, the energy released by the laser evaporates tissue, as if it were being erased. These types of lasers typically don’t cause bleeding because the concentrated energy seals off blood vessels while it removes the tissue. Lasers also seal off nerve endings and pain signals from those nerves are no longer transmitted to the brain. Lasers remove the need for stitches and promote much faster healing times.

In the case of hard-tissue lasers, the light-beam creates a microscopic shock wave that breaks away decay within tooth pockets. A drill is subsequently used in conjunction to remove decay found deep-down. Using lasers to eliminate cavities helps remove a large amount of drilling and is usually preferable for patients.

The bottom line is that lasers are still very expensive technology and, although they have a number of added benefits, are not going to replace the traditional drill anytime soon. Still, for dentists who see themselves as technology leaders and for patients who would like a more pleasant time in the dental office, laser dentistry is here to stay.