Laser dentistry is a technique that is efficient and precise when used to perform most dental procedures. The ability of our dentist to control the output of laser power is what will determine the potential of your dental problem to be improved.
You may consider yourself to be one of those anxious patients when it comes to dental care. Most patients in this category will look for practices in which they can find extreme comfort and safety. If you are in such a situation, then you will benefit from searching for a dentist such as Dr. Latha Subramanian, who has included laser dentistry into many areas of her practice. Currently, it is estimated that about six percent of dentists use lasers regularly in their practice. However, it is also expected that this number will steadily increase with time. This means that Dr. Subramanian is on the cutting edge of dentistry by incorporating the latest technologies in her dental techniques.
Laser dentistry allows dentists to provide their patients with precise, careful treatment that decreases both discomfort and recovery time. This type of dentistry can be used to treat a wide variety of dental conditions.
The Different Types
There are various kinds of hard and soft tissue laser surgeries that laser dentistry has been approved to treat. Many of these techniques can be used on both children and adults. This type of surgery is said to have unique absorption characteristics and is used to perform several dental processes.
• Hard Tissue Lasers: The wavelength of this laser can be absorbed by water and hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite is a salt that is found in the teeth and bones of calcium phosphate. Therefore, it is efficient when cutting through the structure of the tooth.
The primary use of this type of laser surgery is to cut the teeth and bone with incredible accuracy. It is mainly used in the shaping and prepping of teeth. It can also be used to remove a small amount of the tooth structure or for composite bonding. Repairing worn-out dental fillings can also be handled using the hard tissue laser.
• Soft tissue laser: Hemoglobin and water highly absorb the soft tissue laser. Hemoglobin is the protein that provides your red blood cells with oxygen. This laser technique will, therefore, be more efficient for the management of soft tissue. This type of laser can also effectively kill bacteria and promote the regrowth of tissues.
The soft tissue laser can penetrate the soft tissue, which covers the blood vessels and the nerve endings. Our laser technology can also lead to faster healing after your procedure has been completed. As a result, more and more dental practices incorporate laser dentistry into procedures such as gingival sculpting.
We use the WaterLase, Epic and Styla lasers to treat a wide variety of dental concerns. The type of laser our dentist will use during your treatment will depend on your specific needs.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Although there are still limits when it comes to its application, no one can deny the many benefits that come from laser dentistry. In fact, the benefits it provides can even make you consider choosing this form of dentistry over traditional dental methods. Following are some of the advantages that come with this innovative form of dentistry.
1. It causes little to no discomfort.
Vibration, heat and pressure are the primary cause of discomfort when it comes the use of the traditional dentistry. Using a laser to penetrate the soft and hard tissue does not involve any pressure, heat or vibration. Therefore, most of the procedures performed with laser dentistry cause very little, if any, discomfort.
This leads to a greatly reduced need for local or general anesthesia. Depending on the treatment you receive, you may not need any anesthesia or numbing agents at all. Laser dentistry also reduces the bleeding rate during any procedure, making it even more convenient and comfortable.
2. It is accurate and precise.
The technology utilized in this type of dentistry will make use of a very thin beam of light. It will, therefore, hit only the tissues that need to be treated. This will allow our dentist to perform dental procedures such as removing tooth decay, treating inflamed tissue and even performing biopsies without affecting any of the surrounding areas. Therefore, you will be able to retain the tooth structure that you have and live with your natural teeth for a longer period of time.
3. It is less traumatic.
High-speed drills can lead to hairline cracks and fractures in the teeth. This could cause future problems with the teeth. If your tooth has been drilled before, then you know how traumatic the experience can be.
Even when using a topical anesthetic, the heat, vibration and pressure of the drill can still be disconcerting. With laser dentistry, you will not have to worry about this discomfort. In some cases, there will be no need to use anesthesia at all. You will also be able to avoid feeling numb after your procedure.
4. You will have fewer visits to the dentist.
Laser technology will get the job handled accurately and fast. In most situations, anesthesia will not be necessary in a procedure that utilizes laser dentistry, and cavity preps can be done with just one visit to our office. This technology allows our dentist to perform most of the procedures that would usually require a referral to another dentist. This means that you will be saved both time and hassle as you deal with your dental issue.
5. It controls and reduces the swelling and bleeding.
Due to the precision allowed by laser dentistry, only a small section of the tissue will be dealt with during the process of your procedure. As a result, bleeding in the gums is dramatically reduced. When you begin to bleed, the laser can be used to seal off the blood vessels and stop the bleeding. This also leads to a reduction after the procedure is completed.
6. You also get versatility.
Laser dentistry is very versatile. Our trusted expert can use it to carry out a wide range of both hard tissue and soft tissue procedures. It can be used to remove decay, prepare a cavity, quickly whiten a smile and perform more involved procedures.
7. You can prevent future dental problems.
Laser dentistry allows for thorough and careful cleaning of a cavity before a filling is placed. Therefore, you should expect that your filling will last for a long time. You can also rest assured that bacteria will not continue to decay your teeth as long as you maintain good oral hygiene practices. When it comes to reshaping and removing the teeth, traditional dental procedures run the risk of causing damage to the nearby teeth. Any damage sustained may not be noticed immediately, but you are sure to feel it as time goes by. Laser dentistry virtually eliminates this risk.
The light that is emitted from the lasers can be adjusted depending on what type of treatment or procedure you need. It can, therefore, cut through different tissue ranges. Laser dentistry can thus be used to treat both the hard teeth and the very soft gums.
The Future of Dental Lasers
Laser dentistry allows dental procedures to be completed faster and far more efficiently. We will likely see an increase in the number of procedures this innovative form of dentistry can complete as more and more dentists utilize it. More dental offices in the world are using dental lasers thanks to their ever-improving technology and reduced cost.
Common Uses of Dental Lasers
As previously mentioned, laser dentistry can be used to perform many types of dental procedures. It can be utilized in the removal of tooth decay in the tooth. It can also be used to prepare the tooth for additional procedures.
Dental lasers can also be used to treat gum disease by reshaping or removing inflamed and damaged gum tissue. These lasers can even get rid of bacteria during a root canal procedure. It can also be used in the removal of a lesion. The lasers are at times used to get rid of a tiny piece of tissue to perform a biopsy and test for cancer.
Dental lasers can also be used to perform quick and efficient teeth whitening. They tend to speed up the process of teeth whitening because the laser energy activates the whitening solution that is applied to the surface of the tooth. This energy is what makes the treatment so quick.
Lasers work by delivering light energy. When the energy is used in the dental processes, the laser will be used as a dental instrument. Our state-of-the-art lasers can also be used to precisely vaporize the tissues that it comes into contact with. When providing a filling for a cavity, the connection between the tooth and the filling is made strong using the laser.
Laser dentistry comes with a quickly growing number of advantages, and it is provided with expertise at the office of Dr. Latha Subramanian in Mountain View. Contact our office today to learn more about how laser dentistry could help you!
