Laser dentistry is an innovative way to treat a range of dental conditions. Laser-based treatment is an emerging technology in dentistry, and it has many unique advantages compared to traditional modes of treatment. Dentists use lasers in many different ways, and they can replace dental tools that tend to provoke high anxiety.
Laser dentistry is available at Venetian Family Dental in Stockton and the surrounding area. Our team can provide you with the safe and quality dental treatment you deserve. Call us today at (209) 474-0888 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
What is Laser Dentistry?
In laser dentistry, a dentist diagnoses or treats a dental concern using a laser, which is a tool that emits light. Lasers can cut both hard and soft tissues in the mouth, and they allow for high precision. They also can reduce pain and the likelihood of an infection.
Patients who may be eligible to receive a laser dental treatment include those who require the following:
- A biopsy
- Cavity removal and preparation
- Gum surgery
- Surgery on other tissues of the mouth
Additionally, people with high sensitivity in their teeth or dental anxiety can benefit from receiving laser dentistry. Lasers take up less space than a traditional dental tool, which is more comfortable for patients with small or narrow mouths (especially young patients). There are two categories of laser dentistry: soft tissue laser dentistry and hard tissue laser dentistry.
Soft Tissue Laser Dentistry
A soft tissue laser can help manipulate tissues in the oral cavity that are less dense than teeth. These tissues include the gums and other soft tissues. A soft tissue laser cauterizes as it works, which means that patients tend to experience less bleeding during a procedure. Other benefits of soft tissue lasers are that they can reduce the chance of infection, are highly precise, and reduce procedural swelling and pain.
Specific procedures that may incorporate a soft tissue laser include gum contouring or reshaping, frenectomy (removing the frenulum), crown lengthening, biopsies, exposure of partially erupted teeth, and periodontal disease treatment. Lasers can also help seal wounds and reduce bacteria within the mouth.
There are also some disadvantages to soft-tissue laser treatments. Procedures with a laser may be more expensive due to the provider's initial cost of the equipment. Additionally, laser therapy is only available for a small number of procedures and not for some common dental treatments, such as removing crowns or filling cavities. It is also imperative that providers follow the recommended practices for laser safety with their staff members.
Soft-Tissue Laser Dentistry in Orthodontics
Laser dentistry is being incorporated more often in orthodontic treatments. Dental providers can use soft-tissue lasers to help contour gums and reshape them to remove excessive gum tissue. Lasers can also be part of a treatment plan for impacted teeth. The laser allows the tooth to grow more appropriately into the mouth, improving the patient's smile.
Post-Treatment Care and Tips
After a soft-tissue laser dentistry treatment, patients must follow the post-op care from Venetian Family Dental. As stated in Mouth Healthy, it may be necessary to stick to a mild or liquid diet for a few days after the surgery. Then, patients may be asked to transition to a soft food diet for a week or two until the mouth or gums are healed.
The areas treated by the laser may feel tender, so it is normal to experience a little soreness. The surgical site may appear grey, red, purple, or other unusual colors while healing. It may also be necessary to avoid brushing and flossing the surgical spot and use a warm saltwater rinse to clean it instead.
Candidates for Soft-Tissue Laser Dentistry
Soft-tissue laser dentistry may be an option for some treatments. Dental procedures such as gum re-contouring, crown lengthening, and periodontal disease treatments may be performed using a laser. By using a laser during dental treatment, we can increase the precision of the treatment and target specific areas that may be difficult to reach with traditional methods.
Our team will work with you to determine if the patient can benefit from soft-tissue laser treatment. During the consultation, we will review the patient's medical history and state of oral health to determine if they are a candidate for this procedure.
Different Types of Soft-Tissue Laser Dentistry
According to WebMD, there are different types of surgeries that use soft-tissue lasers. Before the surgery, your dental provider will explain the steps of your specific procedure. The most common type of laser used in soft-tissue procedures by dental providers is the diode laser. Here are some examples of what may happen during a soft-tissue laser surgery:
- Cutting Tissue: If a provider uses a laser instead of a traditional cutting tool for surgery, it is often more precise. For surgeries such as frenum removal, gum reshaping, and periodontal therapy, the laser cuts through the tissue easily. After cutting, bleeding is minimal and improves healing time.
- Sealing Wounds: Laser therapy can also be used to seal and cauterize surgical cuts. It seals off the blood vessels and capillaries during treatment. This helps reduce swelling after the procedure.
- Eliminating Bacteria: Some soft-tissue laser procedures may involve the eradication of harmful bacteria. In periodontal treatments, the laser acts as a bacteria eliminator and improves the patient’s outcome. The heat generated by the laser and the targeted way it can treat the gums’ diseased pockets removes bacteria that cause periodontal complications.
Hard Tissue Laser Dentistry
A hard tissue laser can manipulate the hard structures of the mouth, namely the teeth. Similar to soft tissue lasers, hard tissue lasers offer high precision, minimal pain, and fast recovery time. Thus, they are ideal for patients who experience dental anxiety from the sounds and sensations created by traditional dental instruments.
Compared to a soft tissue laser, a hard tissue laser can cut through more dense materials, making it well-suited for procedures involving teeth and bones. The National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery notes that hard tissue lasers can be used for preventing cavities, bleaching teeth, preparing cavities, and eliminating tooth hypersensitivity, among many other procedures.
Benefits of Hard-Tissue Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry first began in 1960 after the first ruby laser was developed. Since then, the practice has separated into hard-tissue and soft-tissue dentistry. Hard-tissue dentistry focuses on resolving dental problems, while soft-tissue lasers are usually used for cosmetic reasons. Both types of laser dentistry offer many benefits, including the ones listed below.
- Lasers are sterile: Since lasers work by emitting high-intensity light, they are more sterile than traditional dental tools. The presence of bacteria could lead to a post-procedure infection. Using lasers means there is less chance of infection.
- Lasers may involve less pain: Many people fear dental work because most procedures involve some form of discomfort. Laser dentistry is direct and does not damage the tooth or the roots, resulting in reduced pain for many people. In several cases, a local anesthesia may not be necessary for laser dental work.
- Lasers provide enhanced precision: Lasers are more precise than traditional dental tools. While dentists once may have needed to remove healthy tissue to get to damaged tissue, laser dentistry allows them to target specific areas of the mouth. There is no need to risk damaging healthy tissue.
- Lasers promote faster healing: There is little recovery time associated with laser dentistry. Lasers cauterize damaged nerves, resulting in less bleeding. Patients do not usually need stitches after laser treatment, which speeds up the recovery process.
Post-Treatment Care
Laser dental treatment is usually not painful, but patients need to give their gums time to heal after surgery. For the first week following a laser dental procedure, patients are advised to stick to a liquid or soft diet. They may return to a normal diet during the second week of recovery. They may also resume brushing their teeth, although they will need to be cautious while doing so. Complete healing can take anywhere from two to four weeks, depending upon the severity of the surgery.
Signs Hard-Tissue Laser Dentistry Is Needed
Although laser dentistry has become increasingly popular, it is not the right solution for every dental problem. The FDA has approved the use of lasers for several dental procedures. While the American Dental Association has not yet followed suit, ongoing studies show that laser dentistry is a useful tool in many situations. Laser dentistry is often the best choice for patients who are anxious about dental procedures or require precise treatment to remove damaged tissue.
Various Applications for Hard-Tissue Laser Dentistry
Hard-tissue lasers are commonly used to find and remove cavities or prepare a tooth for a filling. However, this type of laser is also useful for cutting through the enamel to whiten teeth. In some cases, hard-tissue lasers can even be used to remove benign tumors in the mouth. The primary benefit of choosing a hard-tissue laser over a soft-tissue one is that it can cut through denser materials such as gum and bone with minimal discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How new is laser technology in the field of dentistry?
A. While lasers have been used in medicine since the 1970s, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) notes that the first dental-specific laser was created in 1987 and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the 1980s. Since then, lasers have become increasingly used by dentists because of their unique benefits.
Q. What exactly happens during a laser dentistry treatment?
A. First, your dentist will describe to you what the procedure will entail. You will likely be instructed to wear sunglasses during the treatment. Unlike other dental tools, lasers do not emit a loud noise or create a grinding sensation, so the treatment may be surprisingly quiet. After the treatment, your dentist will provide you with after-care instructions.
Q. Can laser dentistry be used in children?
A. Yes. Lasers are especially useful in children because they are minimally invasive, operate within a narrow field, and are also antimicrobial. Lasers can also reduce a pediatric patient's need for stitches or anesthesia, says the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).
Q. What kind of training is needed to perform laser dentistry?
A. Dentists and other providers who use lasers are required to have specialized training. During this training, they learn how to use lasers strategically to manage dental conditions and make sure that lasers are used safely. The Academy of Laser Dentistry is devoted to ensuring that the practice is standardized.
Q. Are lasers approved dental devices?
A. Yes. The FDA has approved dental lasers to perform a number of different procedures, such as frenectomies, teeth whitening, lesion removal, and gum tissue removal, among many others. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) has not officially provided any specific laser with its Seal of Acceptance, which is why you may be confused about whether they are sanctioned. However, the ADA is cautiously optimistic about the future of lasers in dentistry.
Q. Does soft-tissue laser dentistry hurt?
A. When dental providers use laser therapy during a procedure, it can help reduce pain during and after the surgery. Dental lasers are extremely precise and can seal off the soft tissue's nerve endings, reducing pain. Some patients who have anxiety about dental treatments may also feel more relaxed.
Q. How is laser dentistry used for a frenectomy?
A. The frenum is tissue in the mouth that connects to another part of the mouth. This connective tissue joins the gums to the cheeks, the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, and the lips to the top of the teeth. Individuals who have problems with an elongated frenum may need to get this tissue removed in a procedure called a frenectomy. This is a surgical procedure that can be conducted using soft-tissue laser dentistry.
Q. What is a diode in laser dentistry?
A. Many offices use diode lasers for their soft-tissue procedures. Diodes in a laser device are constructed from semiconductor crystals. Using electrical current, the diode in the laser emits a small, focused dot of light. Dental lasers use a fiber optic system to channel the light into surgical uses.
Q. How much does laser dentistry cost?
A. The cost of laser dentistry varies widely. Dentists charge different amounts based on which procedure the laser is used for. Many insurance companies cover the cost of laser dentistry, so it is a good idea to check with your insurance provider to see if it is right for you.
Q. How long does hard-tissue laser dentistry take?
A. Laser dentistry procedures typically take less time than traditional dental treatments. The time for each process varies depending upon the severity of the dental issue. Regardless of how long the initial treatment takes, patients should expect to spend up to four weeks recovering.
Call Us Today
Laser dentistry is a safe and effective way to receive the dental care you need. Our team at Venetian Family Dental can help. If you are interested in receiving laser dentistry, contact our team today at (209) 474-0888 to find out which options may be right for you.