Laser dentistry has been available for several years but many professionals are still resistant to include these devices in their practice. It isn't; however, due to safety reasons but rather the prohibitive pricing of the necessary equipment.
Since the early 1990's laser dentistry has been approved by the FDA to treat gums, teeth, and bone for a variety of ailments. Few people, however, have ever undergone a treatment. This is largely due to the price it costs a dental practice to procure the proper equipment, which can range from $8,000 to excess of $40,000 for a single device. When compared with the cost of a simple and versatile dental drill, most professionals will take advantage of the lower price point. Despite prohibitive outset costs, there are several benefits to choosing this treatment over traditional methods including decreased use of anesthetics, reduced bleeding and pain, and lower complications overall.
Laser dentistry techniques and tools cannot address all oral problems, which is why many offices choose to specialize in order to maintain relevancy within the market and cover the cost of equipment. It is estimated that only up to 8% of dentists use the technology within their practice, so finding one can be a challenge. The Internet is one of the easiest places to look and you should ask your regular dentist to refer you to a laser dentistry specialist in the area if available. Two types of technology are utilized, lasers for soft tissue and those for hard matter. The soft tissue can be used to detect cavities, lengthen crowns, improve the appearance of "gummy smile," treat gingivitis, and place gum grafts. The hard tissue treatments include removal of decay and surgical procedures on the bone and tooth.
What makes laser dentistry so much more beneficial for both the dentist and the patient are the great results with a fraction of the work that is involved with most traditional dental procedures. There are no incisions, stitches, packing, or injection of anesthetic into sensitive gum tissue. Patients can recover in a matter of hours or even minutes with no ill after effects or needing to take time off of work and daily activities. The equipment used can cut tissue and shape bone while cauterizing the nerves to ensure bleeding is staunched immediately. This results in less risk of infection and decreased discomfort for the patient. People who are particularly scared of the drill and needle will find the techniques used non-threatening and with minimal pain involved.
Many dentists who are proponents of laser dentistry also believe that they have much greater control over detailed work. One example is evening the gum line to create a more attractive smile. Normally, excessive gum tissue is excised via incision, but by using technology, there is no resulting swelling that can distort the final appearance and far less variables that will interfere with precision shaping. Small portions of gum can be removed and shaped, giving the teeth a much more uniform and even appearance. And it is these small changes that can have a dramatic impact. The hard lasers can also be used to shape teeth, smoothing out uneven edges for a straighter, stronger appearance.
