Laser Dentistry -A New Alternative

The dentist has gotten a bad reputation among many adults. Whether through personal experience or second-hand stories, it is not uncommon to find someone who will skip at least one yearly visit with the dentist due to a fear of even the most basic procedures. Luckily, dentistry has evolved, and with the introduction of laser dentistry, it is possible to have a quick and painless visit with the dentist.

Laser medicine refers to the user of lasers in medical diagnosis, treatment, and and therapy. Although lasers have been used with great success in other medical fields for years, laser dentistry didn't develop until recently. In other medical disciplines, lasers have been used to perform delicate surgery, and to remove excess fat, scars, and even tattoos. Laser dentistry was developed in an effort to make dental procedures more effective, quicker, and less painless for the patient. Indeed, laser dentistry can be used to perform even the most basic dental procedures, including filling cavities, teeth whitening, and crowning lengthening. In fact, laser dentistry procedures fall into two categories; soft tissue and hard tissue. Hard tissue procedures refer to teeth and bone. Lasers are useful in these procedures because they can be used to precisely cut through the hard tissue to help prevent bleeding and reduce pain. Laser are a good alternative to the use of drills for dental fillings. Soft tissue procedures refer to the gums, muscles, and other soft tissue. Soft tissue lasers help to implement healthy tooth structure by reshaping the gums. For both procedures, the use of lasers helps to reduce bleeding because the high energy light beam clots blood vessels.

While almost anyone can undergo a dental procedure using lasers, the technology was developed with a fear of the dentist in mind. Regardless, laser dentistry helps to reduce swelling, bleeding, and pain after a procedure; all of which can contribute to a fear of the dentist.

With all of the advantages of laser dentistry, there are only a few disadvantages. For instance, few dentists are trained in the proper user of laser to perform a surgery. Therefore, there is a risk of tissue damage if the dentist is not skilled. Additionally, some procedures can cost up to ten times as much as the more traditional procedures. Yet, for those who are afraid of going to the dentist, this is a small price to pay for peace of mind and a healthy oral cavity.