A laser is a device that uses light energy to perform work. Lasers are unique because they can treat targeted tissue while leaving surrounding tissue unaffected. It is this property among others that allow your dentists to perform very precise procedures.

 

Is this a new procedure?

Lasers have been used in medicine and dentistry for many years.

 

How do I know if I need to have laser therapy?

While lasers have many uses in today’s dental office, they are not used for every procedure. Your dentist will decide if laser therapy is appropriate for your particular procedure.

What about pain?

One of the biggest advantages of laser therapy is the fact that many times procedures can be performed with much less discomfort and less postoperative pain than conventional methods. This is due to the lasers ability to seal off nerve endings and blood vessels and to be tissue specific during treatment.

What kind of procedures that can be done with Laser Dentistry?

1. Cold sores (Herpetic Lesions)

This Laser treatment isn’t a cutting procedure. There is virtually zero discomfort during or following laser treatment of cold sores. As result of the procedure  the virus responsible for the sore is destroyed. There is no injection of anesthesia. It’s simply not needed.
The only sensation you might feel during the treatment is a warm feeling as the laser works.

Cold sores (oral herpetic lesions) can be uncomfortable and inconvenient.  They tend to break out at the most inconvenient time. They generally break out in response to trauma, overexposure to sun or whenever physical or psychological stress levels rises and is generally common before a significant event in your life.

If you catch the cold sore on time with laser treatment you can prevent it from breaking out. Once you experience the tingling sensation, it’s only a matter of time before a full-blown sore appears.  Make an appointment as soon as you have this tingling feeling.  If you already have a full blown sore the treatment will take away the discomfort and help it to heal much faster.

2. Apthous Ulcers

Lasers are also used to facilitate healing other oral soft tissue trauma

3. Laser Use in Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)

Periodontal bacteria can cause an inflammatory reaction which leads to destruction of the fibers that connect teeth to bone and can create a periodontal pocket. Laser therapy can be used selectively to remove diseased or infected tissue lining from the periodontal pockets around your teeth. At the same time the laser will kill the bacteria that cause gum disease and promote healing of your gums around your teeth.

 

4. Laser Bacterial Reduction

Periodontal or gum disease has linked to a number or systemic diseases that afflict the body. We do not yet understand the exact nature of the connection but studies emphasize that the benefit of having a healthy mouth go far beyond personal appearance and no cavities. What is clear that treating periodontal disease by eliminating infection and its accompanying inflammation will help:
 

• Reduce or eliminate Bacteraemia

• Reduce or eliminate cross contamination

• Avoid periodontal infection

• Boost the immune system

• Reduce severity of other disease processes

• Improve overall health

5. Soft Tissue Laser Dentistry

 

Lasers can be used for many soft tissue procedures.
     

• Reshaping or removing gum tissue for periodontal or aesthetic reasons.

• Clipping muscle attachments (frenectomy)

• Removing soft tissue growth

• Gently removing swollen tissues (gingivoplasty)

Lasers allow dentist to very precisely reshape tissues to proper contour for the best aesthetic result possible with the least amount of postoperative pain and swelling.