What Is Laser Dentistry?

As the name suggests, laser dentistry relies on different types of dental lasers for oral health treatments. Lasers were first commercially used in dental practices in 1989. During this time, dentists primarily used them for treatments involving teeth.

Now, dentists use laser dentistry for both soft and hard tissue treatments. It's a safe, comfortable alternative to drills and other traditional dental tools.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, your dentist may recommend laser dentistry. Between 50 to 80% of American adults have some form of dental anxiety. For some patients, hearing a whirring dental drill can trigger symptoms.

A dental laser will emit light energy through a narrow, focused beam. The beam will hit your tissues and trigger a reaction.

Your dentist can use the laser's energy to shape or remove tissue. Laser dentistry may help patients with:

• Hypersensitivity
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Discolored teeth

This treatment option is cost-effective, efficient, and comfortable. You may find it preferable to traditional treatments.

When Is Laser Dentistry Used?

Schedule a consultation appointment with your dentist to determine if you're an ideal candidate for laser dentistry. They may recommend its use during specific treatments, such as:

• Teeth whitening treatment
• Benign tumor removal
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatment
• Obstructive sleep apnea treatment
• Cold sore treatment
• Nerve regeneration

The cost of treatment with laser dentistry varies based on your location, treatment, and type of laser used. Your dentist can provide pricing details during your consultation appointment. Ask if your insurance plan will cover a portion of the expense.

Depending on the type of treatment, you may need to schedule more than one appointment. However, laser dentistry is usually cheaper than its traditional alternatives.

Remember, laser dentistry works for both hard and soft tissue procedures. Here are some examples.

Hard Tissue Procedures

Hard tissue dental treatments focus on your teeth, not gums. Instead of using a scalpel, your dentist will use a laser to cut through tooth structures.

Hard tissue dental procedures can include cavity detection and treatment. The laser can recognize evidence of tooth decay. It's important to seek treatment before the decay spreads and causes tooth loss.

About 25.9% of adults ages 20 to 44 and 25.3% ages 45 to 64 have untreated dental caries. Another 20.2% of adults ages 65 and up have untreated cavities. As a result, 13.2% of older adults have experienced complete tooth loss.

Losing teeth can affect your ability to eat and speak. You could struggle to chew, leading to digestion issues.

Your remaining teeth may shift toward the gap, causing your teeth to appear crooked. You could struggle to brush and floss. Your oral health could decline further.

Laser dentistry treatment can kill bacteria within a cavity. It's used for dental fillings and tooth preparations.

During treatment, you won't need local anesthesia. Treatment is fast, easy, and comfortable.

Different types of dental lasers can help shape teeth during composite bonding procedures. This procedure can improve the appearance of your smile. It can fix discoloration, chipped teeth, gaps, and decay.

If these problems sound familiar, visit your local dentist. They'll determine if you're a candidate for treatment using dental lasers.

Soft Tissue Procedures

While hard tissue procedures focus on the teeth, soft tissue treatments focus on the gums. Dentists use dental lasers for soft tissue procedures like:

• Frenulum treatments
• Gummy smile treatments
• Crown lengthening

Having a gummy smile means gums conceal most of your teeth. This could make you feel self-conscious. A dentist can reshape your gum tissue using a laser.

Treatment can improve the appearance of your smile and self-confidence.

If you require restorative dentistry, talk to your dentist about treatment with lasers. They can use a laser during a crown lengthening procedure. This procedure will improve your tooth's structure and functionality.

Your frenulum is the fold of skin beneath your tongue. Having a tight frenulum can cause speech issues. Treatment with a laser could resolve a speech impediment.

Before seeking treatment, talk to your dentist about the pros and cons of laser dentistry.

Most of the above treatments require anesthesia. However, treatment with lasers is non-surgical and non-invasive. You won't need anesthesia, allowing you to avoid potential side effects.

Traditional dentistry methods sometimes cause damage to surrounding tissues. Laser dentistry, on the other hand, is safe and effective. You won't require sutures or a long recovery period after the procedure.

This can reduce your risk of developing a bacterial infection. The laser will sterilize the area at the end of the procedure.



Your wounds will heal faster, reducing your recovery time. Treatment using a laser even promotes blood clotting. You'll experience less bleeding after the procedure.

Before scheduling a procedure using laser dentistry, do your due diligence. Find a qualified, experienced dental professional. Their experience handling different dental lasers can ensure a better treatment outcome.

An experienced dentist will ensure the laser is used effectively. They'll follow proper safety protocols during your appointment.

However, there are some disadvantages to using a dental laser. For example, they can't treat teeth with metal amalgam fillings. In some cases, a laser can injure tooth pulp.

Overall, these risks are low. Remember to choose a qualified professional before your appointment. Their experience can lower the risk.

To recap, what is laser dentistry? It's a safe, effective option for treating everything from tooth decay to gummy smiles. Laser dentistry can reduce your recovery time and the risk of an infection.

Our team at Dental Arts of Catoosa prioritizes the health of our patients. We make it easy for patients to maintain peak dental health.

We offer exceptional dental care in a friendly, relaxed environment. Contact us today to begin treatment with laser dentistry!