Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is a new form of dentistry that uses lasers for traditional dentistry procedures such as dental crowns and fillings and cosmetic dentistry procedures like teeth whitening. During these procedures, a person may feel less pain and have less bleeding than during traditional dentistry approaches because a dental laser offers a precise beam of light that makes no actual physical contact with a person's mouth or gums. Lasers also seal blood vessels and nerve endings, providing a cleaner, less painful dental procedure.

Laser Dentistry Procedures

A dentist using a dental laser can perform a number of dental procedures. Laser dentistry has been shown to be safe and effective, and usually providing bloodless surgery. There is also less risk of spreading blood-borne diseases and less trauma to adjacent teeth and tissues.

Laser dentistry may also destroy bacteria during tissue removal, swelling, and pain. Some of the procedures laser dentistry may be used for include:

Dental Fillings: Dental lasers kill bacteria improving the healing time during dental filling procedures. Dental lasers during dental procedures prove to be less painful, so shots of Novocain may not be necessary.

Teeth Whitening: Dental lasers improve teeth whitening. The dental laser speeds up the chemical reaction of the bleaching agent, thus speeding up the bleaching process. A person then can achieve a brighter, whiter smile in less time.

Dental Crowns: Dental lasers precisely cut through tissue rather than the traditional method of using a sterile cord to cut through the tissue which causes pain and bleeding.

Dental Crown Lengthening: During dental crown lengthening, dental lasers can remove and reshape excess gum tissue around veneers or crowns to adequately shape teeth for good fitting restorations.

Dental lasers may also be useful during other dental procedures including:

• Biopsy of tumors or lesions in the mouth
• Detection of cavities
• Removal of tooth or gum decay

Currently, only about 5% of dentists have incorporated laser dentistry into their practices. As such, it can be difficult to find a doctor that is trained in laser dentistry. Laser dentistry can also be more expensive than traditional dentistry.

However in the future, dental lasers may be used to remove tartar during professional dental cleaning procedures and replace many traditional dentistry procedures. Laser dentistry is expected to become increasingly prominent as technology continues to evolve.

For more comprehensive information about laser dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, visit Consumer Guide to Dentistry.