How Does Laser Dentistry Work?
Do you ever wonder how dental experts can begin and complete different dental processes meticulously, regardless of the tight spaces that they have to work in? Technically, the mouth can make it difficult for a dental expert to work skillfully while still caring about delivering effective results quickly.
Thankfully, there are ways to get dental works done with utmost precision. This is where laser dentistry procedures come into play. Your dentist can begin and end a complex dental procedure within a short period, thanks to laser dentistry treatments.
What is Laser Dentistry?
It is the use of LASERs, which stand light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation, to perform different dental tasks. Lasers use a narrow and focused light energy, which produces a reaction when it meets tissues. The reaction can be to cut, shape, or remove certain tissues in the target area.
Although lasers are considered a modern-day innovation, laser dentistry has been in use since 1989 to practice dental works for different oral tissues.
How Can Lasers Be Used in Dentistry?
Some of the ways in which dentists use lasers in dentistry include performing the following tasks:
- Periodontal disease treatment – lasers are used for gum grafting g procedures to restore receded gums. Besides, the laser treatment can help remove all the damaged gum tissue without damaging the healthy ones thereof.
- Whitening teeth – lasers are used to activate the whitening products in bleaching the enamel of teeth. The lasers also speed up the whitening process, therefore, protecting your teeth from extreme exposure to the whitening products for a long time.
- Dental decay detection – lasers can be used to detect cavities and any signs of tooth decay for treatment.
- Preparing teeth and placing dental fillings – lasers can be used to prepare teeth for oral filling procedures. Better yet, lasers can take away the need for certain restorative treatments by killing bacteria in a cavity for its long-term benefits.
- Treating tooth hypersensitivity – lasers are employed to seal the tubules in teeth, hence alleviating the sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
- Gummy smile treatment – is a surgical procedure in dentistry meant to reduce the amount of gum tissue that shows when you smile. Lasers prove very effective for reshaping the gums for a beautiful smile.
- Treating tongue frenulum attachment through a procedure called laser frenectomy. This treatment focuses on the soft tissue in the fold of your mouth below your tongue. When it is too tight, it can make speech difficult, often termed as the tongue-tied oral problem. Releasing the frenulum can also improve breastfeeding in babies.
- Removing benign tumors and lumps in the mouth – these tumors can be troubling regarding optimal functionality of your mouth, causing pain and discomfort when you chew or even speak.
Is Laser Dentistry Safe?
Medical experts cannot incorporate an innovation that does not account for the safety of their patients. Laser Dentistry has been proved and tested as a safe way to perform various oral procedures. If anything, the use of lasers in the performance of dental works can be safer than traditional means. This is so because of an increased level of precision when getting tasks done. In fact, many patients have determined that laser dentistry is potentially the more comfortable treatment alternative for many dental procedures.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
- The precision of work – the focused light beam ensures that dental experts work on the target area, with few to no spillovers. This assures you of little or no damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.
- Speedy procedures – lasers help complete different works quickly.
- Versatility – there are multiple ways in which lasers can be used in dentistry.
- Cost-effective – having that lesser time is needed with laser dentistry than with traditional methods, treatments completed using lasers can be less expensive. When it comes to being covered by your dental insurance, you must talk to your insurance company beforehand. The reason is that dental insurances cover dental processes based on what they are instead of the method used to perform them. For example, elective procedures are usually not covered by dental insurances, whether or not lasers are used to perform them.
Summary
Laser dentistry is in use in dental health care provision more than traditional means. The approach for solving dental challenges has proven very effective, even more, affordable for patients.