Advantages and Disadvantages of Laser Dentistry

What Is Laser Dentistry?

It is the use of lasers to treat different dental conditions. Laser dentistry near you is not a new treatment protocol since lasers have been in use since 1989. However, technology continues to evolve. In literal terms, LASER is an acronym for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” Lasers use narrow and focused beams to cut through soft tissues in the oral cavity. Ideally, the laser beams hit the soft tissues in the mouth to shape, cut, or remove them.

How Is Laser Dentistry Used for Dental Care?

Laser dentistry in Irvine can treat many dental issues, including the following:

1. Teeth whitening – many dentists in Irvine use lasers to bleach teeth enamel, improving their brightness and whiteness. Laser dentistry activates and speeds up the whitening agents of bleachers, ensuring the process is quick and effective.

2. Tooth sensitivity – if you have sensitive teeth, a dentist near you can use laser dentistry to treat the tooth roots and alleviate the sensitivity.

3. Cavity detection – sometimes, dental cavities are hard to spot by physical examination. However, dental experts can use lasers to detect cavities in your mouth. The dentist can use lasers to detect the presence of oral cavities while performing a restorative procedure. Ideally, after drilling the tooth (s)he uses a laser cavity detector to identify any remnant traces of decay remaining on the tooth.

4. Dental cavities – one way to treat dental decay is through laser dentistry. Lasers are crucial for removing the damaged portions of your tooth before commencing treatment with dental fillings.

5. Gum contouring – is a procedure for reshaping the gum tissue. The goal is to heighten or shorten the gum line. Gum contouring is common as a treatment for periodontitis, which is advanced gum disease. A dentist can use laser dentistry to perform gum grafting surgery or gum reduction surgery regarding a gummy smile.

6. Dental tumors – whether cancerous or non-cancerous, dentists can use lasers to cut off lumps and bumps on your inner cheeks, gums, side of the lips, or palate.

7. Frenectomy – is a dental procedure for treating tongue frenulum attachment. The frenulum is a soft tissue underneath the tongue, connecting it to the floor of the mouth. A frenectomy is necessary if the frenulum is too short, thick, or tight. Such a surgery releases the tongue, increasing its mobility and flexibility for better functionality.

Why Is Laser Dentistry a Game Changer for Dental Care?

Lasers have proven incredibly useful in dentistry for different oral procedures as mentioned above. At Premium Dental, we rely on lasers because of the following advantages:

1. Increased precision – the focused beams ensure that our dentists target the specific soft tissues in the mouth, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. such precision reduces the need for sutures with soft tissue dental treatments.

2. Cost-effectiveness – since laser works faster than traditional dentistry, the costs for various treatments are lower.

3. Reduced bleeding – since the dentist will avoid cutting surrounding tissues, you will experience reduced bleeding at the surgical site, compared to traditional dentistry.

4. Speed – lasers work faster than traditional dental tools, completing treatments in fewer sessions.

5. Reduced risk of infection – lasers typically sterilize the surgical site, reducing the likelihood of bacterial infections.

6. Wounds heal faster than the case with traditional dental protocols – after laser dentistry, you are likely to experience a more comfortable and faster recovery period than not.

What Are the Disadvantages of Laser Dentistry?

Even though laser dentistry is an incredible addition to dental care, it still has some drawbacks. Some of them include the following:

1. Dental drills may still be necessary – even though dentists may prefer lasers, sometimes dental treatments dictate the use of traditional dental drills. A good example is when placing metal fillings like amalgams.

2. Local anesthesia may still be necessary – although not for all treatment protocols, dentists will recommend numbing your mouth when using laser dentistry. It is especially the case for surgical procedures that will cause dental pain during the treatment.

3. Not all procedures require laser dentistry – sometimes dental experts have to rely wholly on traditional methods, depending on the underlying components of the oral cavity.