About Laser Dental Work

As laser technology advances, the applications for using lasers expand as well. Many people dislike going to the dentist because it can be painful. Dental lasers are now used to treat a variety of conditions, often without pain or the unpleasant noise of a drill.

Types

Different types of lasers have been developed to perform different tasks. An invisible laser beam is created by carbon dioxide lasers. Neon and helium are added to the beam to create a red color, allowing the dentist to see where the laser is. This type of laser does not penetrate far into tissue and is excellent for treating problems on gum surfaces. Carbon dioxide lasers leaves behind a temporary carbon residue, which keeps the wound underneath clean. Argon lasers create a bluish-green light. These lasers are used to cure dental cements and chang the cement's molecular structure. Other laser types sometimes used in dentistry include Ebrium:YAG lasers, Nd lasers and Holmium:YAG lasers.

Uses

Dental lasers are used to treat a large variety of conditions. Lasers can be used to find hidden cavities, dull sensitivity to hot and cold, shape gums and cure TMJ. Lasers can sometimes be used instead of a conventional dental drill and can painlessly fix the gum folds that can occur in denture wearers. Lasers can also treat limited tongue movement and the speech problems that sometimes causes.

Benefits

The light beams emitted by dental lasers can be very accurately focused, eliminating damage to surrounding tissue. The use of a laser in treatment minimizes bleeding because it help blood to clot and can often eliminate the need for stitches. Because laser light kills bacteria, it sterilizes the treatment area as work is being done, reducing the chance of infection. The length of the waves in a laser's light can be controlled to allow precise setting of the laser for specific tasks. In some procedures, a laser can be used instead of the traditional drill, which may make some patients uncomfortable. Lasers can also reduce the need for anesthesia and healing times.

Disadvantages

Though prices vary widely with the procedure, treatment with a dental laser is often quite expensive. There are still a few common procedures that a laser cannot be used for, such as removing old fillings and crowns. While the use of a laser can often reduce the need for anesthesia, it may not eliminate the need entirely for everyone. When a laser is used to whiten teeth, the results can be quite dramatic after just one treatment.

Misconceptions

Demonstration of a laser's accuracy

While many insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, many cover the use of a laser to treat cavities. Lasers are safe and effective forms of treatment for many dental conditions and are just as safe for children as for adults. Because the wavelength on a laser's light beam can be adjusted, it can target hard or soft tissue and various tissue densities. This means that it is not possible for the dentist to accidentally burn the inside of your mouth with the laser while working on your teeth.

Resources

• Academy of Laser Dentistry