Laser Dentistry

Laser Dentistry image

As dentistry evolves, laser dentistry has emerged as a less invasive and more precise alternative to traditional oral surgery. We utilize cutting-edge laser technology, including BIOLASE Waterlase, to address various dental issues effectively. Waterlase combines gentle laser energy with air and water to perform precise treatments without the need for drills. This innovative technology ensures a virtually pain-free experience, minimal discomfort, and reduced recovery time.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Now you might realize why dentists are investing in this cutting-edge technology. Here's a list of the advantages of undergoing a laser treatment:

  • Minimally invasive procedures for quicker recovery.
  • Fewer visits to address all your dental needs.
  • Treatment of cavities, gum disease, and gum contouring.
  • Precise and consistent results without the need for dental drills.
  • Reduced tooth reduction due to better precision.
  • Local anesthetic not required for some treatments.
  • Less swelling, bleeding, and pain during procedures.
  • Lower risk of infection and cross-contamination.
  • Reduced anxiety for patients with dental fear.

Laser dentistry has many clinical advantages as well, especially in soft tissue procedures. It reduces bleeding and swelling, and, as a consequence, the healing process is much quicker. Patients always highlight how quickly and pain-free laser treatments are.

Waterlase: For Patients with Anxiety

Waterlase is one of the premier forms of dental lasers. This award-winning piece of dental technology is safe and gentle on patients for optimal satisfaction. Waterlase uses a combination of air, water, and laser energy to remove enamel, dentin, or soft tissue gently. With the continuous spray of water, your tooth will stay hydrated, which prevents the heat from causing discomfort. Your treatment will be virtually pain-free!

Waterlase eliminates the need for drills, which can be a source of fear for patients with dental anxiety. This laser technology is extremely precise, only removing the exact amount of tooth needed to get the job done. A traditional dental drill would require lots of grinding and drilling, which can cause the patient much discomfort. Since it is so precise and gentle, treatments that once required local anesthetic now do not. Also, this will shorten the amount of time you will spend in the dental chair. Your dentist can get all your dental needs done in a single visit.

Patients who receive laser dentistry can expect a minimally invasive and quick procedure. Patients can return to their daily activities after receiving laser dentistry. In addition to the many benefits of laser dentistry, Waterlase can be an excellent treatment solution for patients with dental fear and anxiety. Many of our patients have regained their oral health with this addition and the elimination of the dental drill that would buzz in their mouth, causing anxiety. Waterlase is gentle, yet powerful, eliminating the need for loud, noisy drills.

Solea Lasers: Revolutionizing Dental Care

Solea is a dental laser that replaces the dental drill in the majority of procedures in our practice. In fact, nearly every patient skips anesthesia because they just don't need it.

At Double A Dental Group, we proudly offer Solea lasers, which replace the dental drill in the majority of our procedures. With Solea, the majority of hard and soft tissue treatments can be performed without anesthesia, resulting in a blood-free and pain-free experience.

This technological advancement allows us to provide efficient multi-quadrant dentistry, fillings, and soft tissue procedures in a single appointment. You can now receive the care you need in a fraction of the time, without the lingering numbness associated with traditional anesthesia.

Our dedicated team will create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs. Whether you require gum reshaping, crown lengthening, frenectomies, or the removal of soft tissue folds, our laser dentistry treatments provide exceptional results.

We also offer laser solutions for viewing tissues, excision of benign tumors, OSA treatment, TMJ treatment, nerve regeneration, cold sore treatment, and accelerated teeth whitening.

Common Hard Tissue Procedures

Cavity detection: lasers can detect early signs of cavities.

Tooth preps and dental fillings: dentists no longer need to use drills or local anaesthetics for these treatments. And it helps to remove decay as the laser light kills bacteria.

Tooth sensitivity treatment: Laser seals the tubules on the tooth's root, avoiding the pain experienced after a hot or cold stimulus in those suffering from tooth sensitivity.

Common Soft Tissue Procedures

"Gummy smile" treatment: Laser tools can reshape the gums of those who show too much gum tissue when they smile.

Crown lengthening: This procedure is similar to the gummy smile treatment, but it also remodels bone tissue, achieving a healthier tooth structure. This is especially important for those teeth that are going to house restorations.

Frenectomies: Laser is a great tool to treat those patients with thick frenulum attachments. Frenulum attachments are a common cause for central diastemas, and in children with severe attachments, they can interfere with speech and breastfeeding.

Removing soft tissue folds: It can eliminate soft tissue folds from ill-fitting dentures without surgical procedures.

How long does laser surgery take to heal?: Typical healing times for laser gum surgery are around 2-4 weeks, depending on the severity of the issue that was being treated. Recovery times may differ depending on the procedure itself.

Other Laser Procedures

  • Viewing tissues: an optical coherence tomography shows a dentist the inside of a tooth or gum tissue.
  • Excision of benign tumors: Using laser, a dentist can eliminate any benign tissue without using sutures.
  • OSA treatment: lasers can reshape the overgrowing tissues in the throat that cause obstructive sleep apnea.
  • TMJ treatment: lasers can help reduce pain and inflammation in the temporomandibular joint.
  • Nerve regeneration: helps regenerate nerves, blood vessels, and scars.
  • Cold sores: Laser minimizes pain and healing times from cold sores.
  • Teeth whitening: Lasers accelerate the whitening process.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are some limitations to laser dentistry, despite its many advantages. The use of lasers is not suitable for all dental procedures, including those with metal fillings, cavities between teeth, and teeth with metal fillings. Laser treatment may be recommended by your dentist depending on the condition being treated.

The cost of laser dentistry is usually not significantly higher than that of traditional dental procedures in most cases. The majority of insurance plans cover laser treatments if they are medically necessary. It may actually be more cost-effective in the long run, since it can reduce recovery time and require fewer follow-up visits.

Most patients find laser dental procedures to be painless. Because of the laser's precision, there is less tissue trauma, and many patients report that the treatment is virtually painless. Despite some mild discomfort depending on the procedure, laser dentistry is generally less painful than drilling.

Laser dentistry usually takes less time to recover from than traditional dental procedures. The precision of laser treatment reduces tissue damage, bleeding, and swelling. Compared to conventional dental surgery, most patients are able to return to normal activities sooner, and healing times are generally shorter.

Dental lasers are very safe when used by dentists who have been properly trained. The FDA has approved lasers for use in several dental treatments. To ensure the safety of their patients and staff, dentists wear protective eyewear during laser procedures.

Dental lasers can treat many conditions, including gum disease, cavities, gum reshaping, cold sores, teeth whitening, soft tissue growth removal, and hardening dental fillings. A laser, however, cannot fill cavities or replace fillings that already exist in a tooth.

Laser dentistry replaces dental drills and surgical instruments with focused light beams. This treatment can address a wide range of dental problems, such as removing decay, reshaping gums, and treating specific tissues. Compared to traditional tools, it's a modern, FDA-approved alternative.