Laser Dentistry - Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Laser Dentistry

No More Shots with Laser Dentistry

Dr. Nam is happy to offer the best of what’s new in dental technology with laser dentistry. Dr. Nam is one of only a few dentist in Colorado that can offer you this high-tech laser treatment. Laser dentistry is accomplishing what dentists (and scientists) have been working hard to accomplish for years — making a cavity procedure drill-free and shot-free. The laser allows Dr. Nam to treat patients without injections in 99% of cases. This makes for a much less traumatic experience for most children. Our young patients also receive their dental care in a fraction of the time they were accustomed to from traditional drills. Laser dentistry is so much more comfortable for our patients and there is no time lost waiting to feel your face again! The numb feeling following traditional cavity treatment can be very bothersome to many children. Now kids get excited about coming to the dentist. Kids think the laser is cool!

 

Advantages of Dental Laser Tissue Treatment?

Our patients have voiced various reasons for preferring laser dentistry over traditional methods. Heat, vibration, and pressure are the primary causes of pain associated with the use of the traditional dental drill and can increase anxiety in our younger patients. Since cutting both hard and soft tissues (teeth and gums) with a laser does not generate heat, vibration or pressure, many dental procedures can be performed with fewer shots, less need for dental anesthesia, less use of the drill and fewer numb lips! Laser dentistry treatment compared to traditional dental drill treatment may:

  • Reduce pain. In some instances, lasers eliminate the need for anesthesia. (The laser seals nerve endings.)
  • Ease anxiety. Helps relax patients that are uncomfortable with the dental drill.
  • Minimize bleeding and swelling. During soft tissue treatments, the laser seals blood vessels, encouraging immediate blood clotting.
  • Eliminate the need for stitches. Because the area has been cauterized, stitches may be completely unnecessary for some patients.
  • Reduce infection risk. The laser sterilizes the area immediately during treatment.
  • Increased precision. Lasers allow the dentist to limit the trauma to the treated area, which spares the surrounding tissue from inadvertent damage.
  • Faster healing and regeneration. This occurs as a result of decreased bleeding, trauma and risk of infection.

Dental Laser Tissue Treatment Purposes

Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides state-of-the-art dental care to the Erie, Colorado community. Laser dentistry has been around since the 1990s and has continued to be perfected overtime. Laser therapy has been seen to offer better clinical results with shorter treatment times. It lessens discomfort and prevents the need for more invasive types of therapy. Our laser tissue treatment is extremely versatile and can be used to:

  • Treat hot/cold sensitivity by sealing the tubules at the root of the tooth
  • Find subsurface cavities that elude x-rays and traditional probing tools
  • Disinfect the cavity of a tooth prior to filling
  • Recontour gum and bone tissue to expose healthier tooth structure, establishing a stronger foundational tooth restoration placement (crown lengthening)
  • Fix a gummy smile
  • Correct limited tongue movement in children and babies
  • Repair speech impediments caused by the tongue
  • Painlessly remove soft tissue folds created by ill-fitting dentures
  • Painlessly remove benign tumors inside the mouth, including the gums, cheeks, palate and lips
  • Accelerate the teeth-whitening process
  • Conduct regular and deep cleanings (scaling and root planing) and remove tartar
  • Treat TMJ (Thermomandibular Joint Syndrome). Cold lasers help control tooth sensitivity, inflammation and TMJ pain.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Laser Treatment?

Laser dentistry works for most patients and conditions but may not be advised for everyone. Lasers are not very useful in situations where the dentist needs to shape a filling, adjust the bite or polish a completed filling. Furthermore, traditional dental drills are much more effective than lasers when: 1) fixing cavities between teeth, 2) working near old fillings, 3) preparing a tooth for a dental crown or 4) prepping teeth for a dental bridge.

 

Call for a Dental Laser Tissue Treatment Evaluation

If you want to know more about the advantages of dental laser treatment and what it can do for the health of your smile, or if you’d like to make an appointment, call our Erie office. Parents can also find more information on laser dentistry by reading the Consumer Guide to Dentistry’s discussion on the future of dental lasers and treatment.