Is Laser Dentistry Painful?
Most people do not like to go to the dentist. This aversion is easy to understand when it usually involves sticking your gums and scraping your teeth with sharp metal tools. Fortunately, times are changing as technology advances. Today, the use of dental lasers at downtown dental excellence is becoming more common in many dental procedures. Laser dentistry has not only improved the speed and effectiveness of many dental procedures, but it has helped eliminate much of the pain experienced. Read the information below to learn more about laser dentistry and how it is used to improve dental techniques and reduce pain.
How Laser Dentistry Works
To put it simply, lasers become a tool when an intense amount of light energy can be harnessed and used. In laser dentistry, the intense light beam is used to perform precise dental procedures. Lasers are easy to control and help perform procedures more effectively and efficient including trimming unhealthy gum tissue away, eliminating tooth decay, and reshaping soft gum tissue. What makes the use of lasers even more advanced is the fact that the heat from the laser helps to cauterize the tissue as it works, which can significantly reduce blood loss and improve recovery. This quick sealing of the tissue also helps to minimize the risk of bacterial infections.
So How does Laser Dentistry Reduce Pain?
When a dentist switches from a traditional instrument to a laser instrument, they are immediately making the dental procedure less invasive. The laser is used in place of the drills and scalpels commonly used in many dental procedures. In most cases, eliminating the drills and scalpels means eliminating the amount of anesthesia that will be needed. The use of the laser means that the procedure will just focus on the precise location that needs to be worked on, and the damage or pain caused to the surrounding area will also be reduced. Further, there will be no need for stitches afterwards. While infection is not common, lasers dramatically reduce the risk of infection and therefore the pain that may result from any infection.
What Procedures Are Performed with Lasers?
Today, lasers are used in many dental treatment procedures. This is partially due to their ability to reduce the pain that may be experienced with traditional approaches. Here are some of the dental procedures that are now being performed with lasers:
- Root canals:During a root canal, lasers are used to reduce the decay from within the tooth and minimize the surrounding enamel to prepare it for filling.
- Gum disease treatment: When the gums are badly damaged from gum disease, lasers can be used to trim away diseased tissue and reshape gums.
- Biopsy:When a biopsy is needed, lasers can be used to safely and precisely remove a small piece of tissue so that it can be examined for cancer or disease.
- Teeth whitening:Lasers are often used during the in-office teeth whitening procedure to activate the bleaching solution that has been applied to the surface of the teeth.
More information on Laser Dentistry : What is Laser Dentistry?