Have you ever heard about a friend visiting the dentist only to have lasers used in his or her treatment? Or have you heard of a dentist advertising the benefits of laser dentistry? Do you ever wonder what said benefits could be, or if laser dentistry is even safe?
Fortunately, most dentists will tell you that lasers are safe for use—after all, they have been used since the 90s. However, because lasers aren’t explicitly necessary for many procedures, this new technology may not be as popular as expected. This is somewhat surprising because lasers can be used to make many treatments more effective.
For example, lasers can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Tooth decay: Many dentists will use lasers to remove decayed portions of the tooth before the filling can be placed. Similarly, lasers can be used to help a filling harden faster.
- Gum disease: Your dentist may use a laser to shape your gums or to remove bacteria buildup. Lasers can also be useful during root canal therapy.
- Teeth Whitening:In teeth whitening, lasers can be used to speed up the process.
- Biopsy:With lasers, your dentist may remove tissue in order to perform a biopsy. This is especially useful for inspecting your mouth for oral cancer. Lasers can also be used to relieve canker sores.
However, even though lasers are very versatile, there are some patients who may benefit from this technology more than others. They can be particularly useful for patients who fear the dentist, because the use of lasers minimizes the need for stitches and anesthesia. In fact, treatments performed with lasers are generally painless.
If you are interested in learning more about laser dentistry, please feel free to contact us today. We are excited to hear from you.