Recently, laser dentistry has become an increasingly popular treatment for dental procedures because of its precision and minimal invasiveness. Dental laser technology has replaced the drill and anesthetic used in traditional dental procedures. But is this new technique better than traditional treatments?
What is laser dentistry?
Laser dentistry uses a focused beam of light to remove and reshape soft tissue, hard tissue, and teeth. The laser can remove gum tissue, reshape the gums, remove decay, and whiten the teeth. It is also used for cosmetic dentistry procedures such as veneers and crowns.
Laser dentistry offers a more painless treatment option for several procedures involving hard or soft tissue than drills and other non-laser tools.
How Does Laser Dentistry Work?
Lasers can shape, remove, and whiten teeth. First, the laser emits an intense light beam, focusing on the target area. The laser heats and vaporizes the targeted tissue, which reshapes the gums or removes decay. The laser can whiten teeth by breaking down the stains on the enamel.
The laser is controlled with a computer, which allows the dentist to adjust the intensity and frequency of the laser beam. This allows the dentist to precisely target the area to treat and avoid damaging the surrounding tissue. This renders it ideal for delicate procedures, such as removing decay between teeth.
Are there different types of laser treatment?
There are two types of procedures used, hard tissue procedure (for the teeth) and soft tissue procedure (for the gums).
Hard tissue procedures involve:
- Cavities– Lasers can detect cavities early by finding evidence of tooth decay.
- Tooth fillings – Local anesthesia and traditional drills are rare with laser treatments. The lasers can kill bacteria in a cavity, which helps the health of a tooth in the long future.The laser can perform procedures precisely with minimal invasiveness, with much less pain and discomfort for the patient.
- Tooth sensitivity treatment-Teeth that have sensitivity to hot and cold can be treated with dental lasers that seal tubules on the tooth’s root.
- Teeth whitening-Lasers speed up the bleaching process during teeth-whitening sessions.
Soft tissue procedures include:
- “Gummy smile”treatment – Lasers are used to reshape gum tissue associated with a “gummy smile,” in which the gums’ length covers much of the teeth.
- Crown extension – This procedure reshapes gum tissue and bone for a healthier tooth structure, which helps place restorations on the teeth.
- Soft tissue folds removal – Lasers can remove soft tissue folds from ill-fitting dentures without pain or sutures.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
The primary benefit of laser dentistry is that it is a precise and minimally invasive way to perform dental procedures. The laser can target specific areas without causing damage to the surrounding tissue, resulting in less pain and discomfort for the patient.
In addition, laser dentistry is faster and more efficient than traditional methods. The laser can perform procedures quickly and with minimal downtime, resulting in quicker recovery time and fewer visits.
Laser dentistry is precise and can perform cosmetic procedures such as veneers and crowns with precise accuracy.
Why prefer laser dental procedures over other methods?
- It is a painless dental procedure, unlike traditional dental procedures.
- With laser dentistry, dentists don’t use the drill, and you don’t feel vibration, noise, or numbnessduring dental procedures.
- Bleeding is minimized in treated soft tissues, as the laser promotes blood clotting.
- There is potentially a decreased need for sutures with soft tissue lasers.
- With some procedures, anesthesia is unnecessary.Soft tissue lasers seal nerve endings and blood vessels while they penetrate the tissue. For this reason, you experience almost no pain.
- There is little or no chance of bacterial infections because the laser sterilizes the area.
- Wounds can heal faster, and tissue can regenerate.
- The procedures may involve less damage to the surrounding tissues.
- These lasers can treat periodontitis, including killing bacteria and activating tissue regrowth.
- Laser dental treatments are safe and effective, with no side effects. This is one more reason patients prefer it.
- For those who experience fear and anxiety when visiting the dentist, laser dentistry provides a more comfortable and stress-free experience.
Types of laser dentistry treatments
Laser dentistry can perform a variety of dental procedures, including:
• Removal of decay and plaque
• Reshaping of gums
• Whitening of teeth
• Removal of soft tissue
• Placement of crowns and veneers
• Root canals
• Teeth restoration
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved laser dentistry as a treatment option for some dental diseases.
Contact Rufe Snow Dental and discuss the types of laser dentistry treatments available to determine which one is best for you.
Is laser dentistry expensive?
Its costs vary based on the type of procedure and laser equipment used. The cost of the laser is much higher than the dental drill. But lasers are more cost-effective as they require fewer sessions. A laser dentistry procedure can range from $200 to $400. However, if you need a more complex procedure, it can increase to $500-$1200.
Ultimately, the price of laser treatment ranges greatly based on your location, procedure, and insurance coverage.
Some insurance companies will cover the cost of laser dentistry if the procedure is medically necessary. Check with your insurance provider to see if your policy covers laser dentistry.
Let’s compare laser dentistry with traditional treatments
When comparing laser dentistry to drill dentistry, you need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
- Traditional dentistry can be more painful. Dentists use a drill to prepare the tooth for the procedure. That causes painful vibrations in some patients. To ease the pain, dentists may use anesthesia injections.
- Laser dentistry is more precise, accurate, and minimally invasive, you doThe use of anesthesia injection is not always necessary.
- Dental bleeding is minimal because the laser stimulates instant blood clotting by sealing blood vessels. Gum swelling is also minimized.
- Laser dentistry helps tissue recover faster than drill dentistry, and wounds heal more quickly.
- Traditional dentistry is more likely to cause infections because the wound-healing process is longer. Laser dentistry reduces the risk of bacterial infections. This is because the dental laser sterilizes the area, and the healing process is faster.
- However, laser dentistry is more expensive than traditional treatments, and insurance does not always cover it.
- Some procedures are unsuitable for laser dentistry, such as root canals or complex restoration procedures. You need to discuss your options with your dentist to determine which treatment is best for you.
- Also, some procedures can’t be done with laser treatment, because of the preexisting surrounding tissue or elements involving the tooth or gums. Lasers can’t be used on teeth that already have certain types of filling, such as metal amalgam.
Consult Rufe Snow Dental to determine if you can undergo a laser procedure.
Are there any potential complications with laser dentistry?
Laser dentistry is generally a safe and effective procedure. In rare cases, there are some potential complications. The most common complication is damage to the surrounding tissue, which can occur if the laser intensity is not measured correctly. Hard lasers can sometimes injure tooth pulp. This is why you should seek a qualified dentist with experience in laser dentistry, as using the wrong wavelength or power level could damage tissue.
Sometimes, drills are needed to complete fillings, tooth shaping, adjusting the bite, polishing the filling, and anesthesia may be applied.
So, laser dentistry can also cause temporary discomforts, such as swelling or soreness.
Finding a Qualified Laser Dentist
It is important to find a qualified and experienced laser dentist. Discuss the risks and complications associated with laser dentistry with Rufe Snow. Understand the potential risks and benefits of the procedure before deciding to proceed.
Overall, laser dentistry is a safe and effective way to perform dental procedures with precision and minimal invasiveness. The procedures are practically painless and can be completed quickly.
If you are considering laser dentistry discuss your options with Rufe Snow Dental Team. We can help you decide if laser dentistry is the right choice for your needs.
