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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Laser Dentistry
Posted by Dr. Julie Boudreault On 24-08-2021
For many people going to the dentist can be a stressful experience. Whether this is because of the undue financial burden it may put on you or because it’s simply scary to go in for a medical operation that requires metal implements being put into your mouth, the fact is it’s often easier to avoid than not.
However, you should not stay away from the dentist. Our services are absolutely vital to your oral health, your beaming smile and you’re sure to walk away satisfied and feeling cleaner than ever. So just bear with us while we do what needs to be done. Thankfully, laser dentistry also exists with many advantages and differences from normal procedures.
We’ll walk you through what it is and why you might want to consider it for your next treatment. Stay tuned for the latest on laser dentistry.
1. What It Is
The first and most important thing you need to know about laser dentistry is exactly what it is.
Well, it’s largely in the name. Rather than using more traditional tools, laser procedures use, you guessed it, lasers. They are utilized to act on a number of different dental conditions and first came into popular use, surprisingly long ago, in 1989.
Essentially, these services are able to offer a treatment modality that is significantly more comfortable than traditional procedures that tackle your hard or soft tissues, acting in lieu of sometimes-intimidating drills and other non-laser tools.
2. What are lasers?
Of course, you might also not know exactly what a laser is, which can be troubling when you’re agreeing to go under the light, as it were, to get proper treatment.
This is another answer only slightly less straightforward than the first. Basically, lasers are an acronym that has fallen into popular usage and stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
Laser instruments create light energy in a very narrow and focused beam, shooting outwards and creating a reaction when it runs into tissue. Specifically, it allows for the removal and shaping of tissue underneath it.
3. What can it be used for?
The flexibility of the tools allows for a wide range of usage, overlapping with many popular and common procedures.
For instance, they can treat hypersensitivity, tooth decay, gum disease or even just whiten your teeth to give it a shine and sparkle befitting a movie star.
4. Advantages
Another major thing you need to know is why you might want to pursue this line of treatment rather than other, more well-known procedures.
The simple fact of the matter is that it’s significantly more comfortable to endure, which is undoubtedly its biggest benefit. It is also significantly more efficient to use which in turn means it could be more cost-effective, as it takes less billable time.
You can also rest easy knowing that it’s well tested. In fact, the FDA has approved laser dentistry as a treatment option for the conditions above that we just talked about.
5. How It’s Done
The mechanism by which it works is also rather interesting, mainly because it can differ so much depending on your dental needs.
So let’s look at the hard tissue procedures first. For instance, you can rely on lasers to detect cavities. This is done early in a quick flash of light allowing for evidence of tooth decay to be noted and headed off right away.
You can also expect it to be useful for tooth preparations and dental fillings. Rather than rely on the anesthesia and traditional drills typically associated with these procedures, lasers can kill bacteria in cavities directly, allowing for the improved long-term care and health of a tooth.
Even tooth sensitivity can be somewhat counter-intuitively treated. Specifically, the lasers will seal the tubules on the tooth’s root, reducing the pain you feel when you ingest hot or cold food or drinks.
There are a variety of soft tissue procedures too. For instance, if you’re worried about having a smile that’s too gummy, the lasers can reshape them entirely. You can even lengthen your crowns, reshaping both the gum and bone for better tooth structure that can benefit you later when you’re placing restorations.
Even tongue frenulums that are too tight or thick, meaning the part of the tongue that anchors it to the bottom of your mouth, can be treated via a laser frenectomy, helping deal with conditions like tongue-tying, difficulty breastfeeding or speech impediments.
In general, any tissue folds you may have from ill-fitting dentures can also be lasered off and removed entirely.
This is still only breaking the surface of all the laser procedures available to you. You can view tissues, remove benign tumours, treat sleep apnea and regenerate nerves to name a few things that fall outside the purview of pure laser dentistry.
The Final Word
Laser dentistry is fascinating. It’s a complex beast that uses high-end technology but at the same time, it’s very adaptable to the small problems and situations in your life. Remember that lasers are used for a variety of procedures. In fact, the way lasers work in any given operation can vary wildly but the important thing to keep in mind is the advantages of comfort, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Laser dentistry isn’t as foreign and confusing as you may have originally thought. In fact, by now you probably already know more about this unique treatment than the average person on the street. Still, while knowledge can be rather sweet it doesn’t necessarily translate into anything positive if you can’t use it to better your life and your teeth. So if you’re invested in getting laser dentistry services in Milton, it can be useful to look for a provider. Thankfully, you need look no further than Milltown Dental. We provide the services you need at a price you can afford. To learn more about laser dentistry, call Milltown Dental at 905-878-8528 or contact us here.
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