Laser Dentistry 101 – Learn the Basics From A Qualified Dentist

Learn from a qualified dentist what is laser dentistry.

Laser is the product of technological advancements. Laser has revolutionized medical health. It is now being used in ophthalmology, dermatology and dentistry.

How Does Dental Laser Work?

• Laser stands for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” This definition is quite complex for the ordinary brain to comprehend, but its working principle is simple.

Laser instrument emits concentrated beams of light. The emitted light reacts with the tissue surrounding the teeth. The light has the capacity to reshape or remove the tissue.

Laser lights can be generated at different wavelengths. Each wavelength has its own thermal output. Hence each wavelength can be used for performing a different function.

• Some laser beams are used for treating ailments of the soft tissue i.e the gum. Others are used for harder structures like bone and enamel. The use of laser in dentistry is relatively new. The commercial use of laser in dental practices started in 1989.

Laser dentistry is used for treating the following dental ailments:

• Hypersensitivity
• Removal of lesion for biopsy
  • Laser is used for the removal of small pieces of tissue. These pieces are used for examination of cancer. Canker sores can also be removed by lasers.
• Gum disease
  • Laser is used to remove bacteria for root canal surgeries. It is also used to remove excess tissue which gets in the way of tooth function.
• Tooth decay
  • Laser removes the dental decay and carves the surrounding tooth for filling.
• Teeth whitening
  • The thermal energy of laser is used to expedite the teeth whitening procedure. The whitening agent is made of hydrogen peroxide. It gets activated and works faster when heated up by laser light.

Advantages of Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry has the following advantages over traditional dentistry:

• Laser dentistry causes less pain compared to traditional dentistry procedures. Hence laser dentistry requires lower doses of anesthesia if any.
• The uncomfortable practice of dental drilling can be avoided through laser dentistry.
• The use of laser causes less bleeding as laser helps in clotting blood. The use of laser for soft tissues reduces the chance of post-surgery swelling.
• Accurate use of a laser can preserve a greater mass of healthy teeth while removing a cavity.
• The laser has sterilizing abilities that reduce the probability of bacterial infection after the surgery.
• The laser may stimulate tissue regeneration and help in the fast healing of wounds.
• Surrounding tissues may incur less damage compared to traditional methods.

Disadvantages of Laser Dentistry

Even with all its advantages, use of laser in dentistry also has the following limitations:

• The need for anaesthesia cannot be completely ruled out with laser based procedures.
• Drills are still sometimes needed for dental procedures which have been carried out by laser. Drills can be needed for shaping and polishing the filling.
• The risk of gum injury cannot be ruled out with laser based procedures.
• Laser cannot be used in areas which have already been filled with a dental filling.

BottomLine

• The potential benefits of laser dentistry outweigh its advantages. If you are someone who gets jitters at the thought of dental drills and the vibration and pressure caused by them, then you ought to give laser dentistry a try.

What is important is to find dental professionals qualified in the field of laser dentistry. Lucky for you, we know just the right professionals in Westmont, IL. Celebrity Smiles specializes in dental lasers. So book your appointment today.