What is laser dentistry?
Lasers are a type of light characterized by a powerful, concentrated beam. Laser light only has one wavelength, and the wavelength can be adjusted based on the laser’s purpose.
Dental lasers, for example, can cut through either soft or hard tissue. Soft tissue lasers target and penetrate soft tissue in your mouth, like your gums. Both water and the hemoglobin in your blood absorb soft tissue laser wavelengths. They can also seal off blood vessels and nerve tissue as they make incisions to reduce bleeding and pain.
A specific mineral in your teeth absorbs the light from hard tissue lasers. Therefore, they can reshape your teeth or remove parts of them for various reasons.
Which procedures can I get with laser dentistry?
At Westside Dentistry, the team uses the Solea® all-tissue dental laser for several different procedures. They might recommend laser dentistry to you if you need:
General and cosmetic tooth fillings
Your dentist might prep your tooth for a filling using a laser instead of drills and other tools. If you’re getting a filling for a cavity, the heat from the laser kills any remaining bacteria in the area during the process.
Soft tissue surgeries
The Solea laser successfully performs many common soft tissue surgeries. The team at Westside Dentistry might use it for crown lengthening, frenectomies, or removing folds of soft tissue that cause your dentures to fit poorly.
What are the benefits of laser dentistry?
The laser options for procedures like soft tissue surgery and fillings offer several advantages over traditional methods using drills, blades, and other tools. The benefits of laser dentistry include:
- Minimal bleeding
- Less need for stitches
- Less need for anesthesia
- Less tissue damage to surrounding healthy tissues
- Lower risk of bacterial infection
- Faster wound healing
In cases where anesthesia isn’t necessary because of the Solea laser, dental procedures take significantly less time. You can also go about your day without worrying about having a numb mouth after your injection-free laser surgery.
The team at Westside Dentistry can let you know whether or not you’re a candidate for a laser dentistry procedure. They can also let you know whether or not you’ll still need anesthesia or if injection-free laser dentistry is an option for your procedure.
For more information about laser dentistry, call Westside Dentistry to request an appointment or book online today.
