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In recent years laser dentistry has emerged as one of the most advanced and safest ways for carrying out dental procedures. Dental surgeons have been impressed with the precision that lasers impart. With a deft handling of the voltage and time of exposure, they can treat dental problems quickly and effectively.
Lasers- Aren't they harmful?
This negative perception of lasers is far from truth. As a matter of fact, the truth is that people although they can do some physical harm lasers are not powerful enough to kill. Only industrial lasers are capable of physically harming a person. However, the ones used in dentistry are a number of notches below them. Their intensity is enough to only gently treat the soft tissues inside our mouth.
What all can be done with dental lasers?
Dental lasers can be used to perform the following dental procedures:
* All types of dental fillings. The only thing which can not be done with a laser is removal of old silver amalgam filling.
* Apicoectomies and root canal treatment
* Apthous Ulcer ("canker sore") treatment
* Cold sore treatment
* Detection of cavities with the help of low intensity lasers.
* Frenectomy ("tongue-tie" release in children, orthodontic or periodontal indications) without the use of sutures or anesthesia.
* Gingivectomy, crown lengthening, gingivoplasty, and other types of gum modifications
* Improving smiles with the help of gum sculpting.
* Incisional and excisional biopsies
* Nerve regeneration: Lasers can be used to induce photobiomodulation, which can be used to regenerate damaged blood vessels, nerves and scars.
* Painless and suture-free removal of benign tumors.
* Periodontal therapy with the assistance of lasers.
* Real-time viewing of teeth as well as gums.
* Removal of oral wounds such as fibromas or pappilomas (under the influence of local anesthesia).
* Removal of soft folds of skin-tissue (Epulis) made inside the mouth by ill fitting dentures.
* Reshaping the gum tissue and bone to give them a better visual appearance.
* Pediatric procedures. Children feel more comfortable with lasers as needles are totally absent in this case.
* Treatment of small gum and mouth irritations.
* Teeth whitening: Lasers with low intensity can be used to increase the pace of teeth whitening (usually done with the help of bleaching agents).
Advantages of using a dental laser
It is a drug free treatment for apthous ulcer and cold sore which immediately provides pain relief and heals within two to three days. Besides, it disinfects cavities during the course of filling. It increases the bond strength for fillings.
Use of laser makes needles redundant in most soft tissue procedures and also increases the pace of healing. Often no requirement is felt for needles and drills for fillings.
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