DENTAL LASERS

DENTAL LASERS

Dental lasers have been used in clinical dental practice since 1989 to treat several different dental conditions.

Laser means “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” Lasers emit energy in light form. Light is emitted in calculated wavelength and thermal output. During dental procedures, they can be used as a cutting instrument. They can also vaporize tissues they come across with. When used in teeth whitening, they enhance the bleaching agents’ effects, speeding-up the whitening process.

Dental lasers are used to treat the following conditions:

  • Tooth decay: Lasers are used to eliminate tooth decay and prepare the tooth for filling and composite bonding. It can also repair worn-down fillings.
  • Gum disease: Lasers can remove inflamed gum tissue and reshape overgrown gum tissue caused by certain medications. It can also remove the bacteria during root canal procedures. Lasers are also useful in relieving the discomfort from cold sores and cankers.
  • Biopsy or Lesion Removal: lasers can be used to remove small pieces of tissue in the mouth to be examined thoroughly for cancer.
  • Teeth whitening: Lasers speed-up teeth whitening procedure.

TYPES

There are two types of lasers that dental professionals choose from, depending on the treatment.

  • Hard tissue lasers: This type is used to cut through tooth structure. They are often used to remove some partial amounts of tooth enamel, reshape teeth, and repair dental fillings.
  • Soft tissue lasers: This type is used to treat gum diseases like periodontitis. This is also used in killing bacteria. This type penetrates the tissue and gets absorbed through water and hemoglobin, sealing nerve endings, hence, using this type of laser causes no pain, and it helps promote quicker healing of the tissue. Some procedures involving this type don’t need anesthesia anymore.

These two types both lowers the chance for bacterial infections because the laser can sterilize the area. Both also reduce post sensitivity in restorations. There is also less blood loss in both types because suturing is unnecessary for closing wounds as lasers promote initial healing and rapid regeneration.

TREATMENT

Standard procedures that use hard tissue lasers are:

  • Cavity detection
  • Tooth preparations and dental fillings
  • Sealing tubules of on a tooth’s roots (treating tooth sensitivity)

Standard procedures that use soft tissue lasers are:

  • Reshaping gum tissue (treating ‘gummy smile’)
  • Crown lengthening
  • Treating tongue frenulum attachment
  • Removing soft tissue folds

Other laser procedures:

  • Viewing tissues
  • Removing benign tumors
  • Nerve regeneration
  • Treating cold sores
  • Teeth whitening
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatment

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has permitted laser dentistry due to research and data supporting its effectiveness and safety in treating many different dental conditions. Dentists are also required to undergo training before they can practice laser dentistry. Each specific dental laser device requires specialized instruction, and a dentist can only use the laser device he has been trained.

Despite FDA approval, laser dentistry is yet to be approved by the American Dental Association’s (ADA). ADA notes, however, that they are optimistic about laser technology and how it can be effectively utilized in dentistry.

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