Laser dentistry potentially offers a more comfortable treatment option for a number of dental procedures involving hard or soft tissue compared to drills and other non-laser tools.
LASER stands for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” The instrument creates light energy in a very narrow and focused beam. This laser light produces a reaction when it hits tissue, allowing it to remove or shape the tissue.
Laser dentistry is used in a variety of procedures, including:
•treating hypersensitivity
•treating tooth decay
•treating gum disease
•whitening teeth
Lasers can make dental treatments more efficient, cost-effective, and comfortable. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved laser dentistry as a treatment option for several dental conditions.
It’s worth noting that the American Dental Association (ADA) currently has yet to do so, though they are hopeful about the potential of the field.
How are laser treatments performed?
The two main types of procedures used for laser dentistry are hard tissue and soft tissue procedures. Hard tissue refers to the teeth, and soft tissue refers to the gums.
Common hard tissue procedures include:
•Cavity detection. Lasers can detect cavities early by finding evidence of tooth decay.
•Tooth preparations and dental fillings. Local anaesthesia and traditional drills are often not needed with laser treatments. Lasers can kill bacteria in a cavity, which can aid in the long-term health of a tooth.
•Treating tooth sensitivity. Teeth that have sensitivity to hot and cold can be treated with dental lasers that seal tubules on the tooth’s root.
Common soft tissue procedures include:
•Treating a “gummy smile.” Lasers are used to reshape gum tissue associated with a “gummy smile,” in which the gums’ length covers much of the tooth.
•Crown lengthening. This procedure reshapes both gum tissue and bone for healthier tooth structure, which helps with placing restorations on the teeth.
•Treating tongue frenulum attachment. Those with a thick or tight frenulum (the fold of skin under the front part of tongue that anchors to the mouth floor) may benefit from a laser frenectomy. This treatment helps children whose restricted frenulum causes them to be tongue-tied, have difficulty breastfeeding, or have a speech impediment.
•Removing soft tissue folds. Lasers can remove soft tissue folds from ill-fitting dentures without pain or sutures