Top 7 Reasons to Try Laser Dentistry
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Dentistry has come a long way with the integration of technology. Now, laser dentistry is a very popular option for dental treatment, and one that is gentle for small children and adults alike. Laser dentistry is dentistry that involves laser light for the detection and correction of cavities as well as performing routine cleanings. There are various reasons our patients prefer laser dentistry over traditional methods. Learn 7 of the top reasons our patients love laser dentistry and how it can benefit you!
Laser Dentistry at Our Office
When it comes to treating children, dentistry can be tricky. Mouths are small and children get nervous to be in a dental chair or to have a cavity removed. Children also tend to have more cavities than adults because they love to eat sugar so much without always brushing their teeth. A child’s mouth continues to grow and form well into their teen years. A child will also have their baby teeth up until the age of 7 or 8, when the teeth begin to fall out. During your child’s young years and even through their teen years, we take special care of their teeth. One of the best ways we do that is through laser dentistry. This type of dentistry is accomplishing what dentists (and scientists) have been working hard to accomplish for years: making a cavity procedure drill-free and shot-free.
Dr. Nam uses laser light in her office to detect cavities and treat them properly. We have found laser light to be gentle for children and adults, and Dr. Nam is able to treat patients without injections in 99% of her cases. This makes for a much less traumatic experience for most children. Laser dentistry is also faster than receiving care through shots and drills, and it takes out the need to be numbed before a procedure.
How Does It Work?
A laser is an instrument we use that produces an intense beam of light. Lasers are used both for cavity detection and for treating them. When this laser comes in contact with your tissue, it will reshape or remove tissue, depending on the procedure we are performing. For infants, we can quickly perform a frenectomy using laser light. Instead of cutting the attached skin, we can run a laser across the area, separating the tissue while simultaneously sealing the wound. This makes the procedure blood-free and virtually pain-free, which is why our patients love laser light for their babies and young children.
Dentistry is also very simple with lasers. When tissue is diseased or damaged, we simply move the laser across the area that needs to be removed and it is done. If there is hard plaque or tartar stuck on the teeth, we can quickly remove it by moving the laser across the surface of your tooth. For detecting cavities, we can use a different laser wand to bounce laser light through teeth. In a healthy tooth, the laser light will simply pass through. When a cavity is present, the light will be reflected back, and we will know the exact size, shape and location of a cavity. This makes detection and treatment quite simple.
Why Do Patients Love Laser Dentistry?
Lasers have been used in dentistry since 1990, but they are gaining more momentum now. Many dental professionals see the benefits of laser dentistry over other methods of performing dental procedures. Some of the reasons our patients love laser dentistry include:
- Reduced pain. In some instances, lasers eliminate the need for anesthesia. When we use a laser on your mouth tissues, the laser seals nerve endings as it separates tissues. This means that the wound is immediately cauterized and is so quick that pain is minimal.
- Less anxiety. Noises at a dental office from drills can make children nervous. Even a routine cleaning or procedure can seem scary because of equipment noise. However, lasers don’t make loud noises when they are used, helping our patients to relax during their procedure. This lack of noise tends to soothe children who are scared of the dentist.
- Minimized bleeding and swelling. During soft tissue treatments, the laser seals blood vessels when it is used. This encourages immediate blood clotting and helps speed up the healing process.
- No stitches. Because the area has been cauterized, stitches may be completely unnecessary for some patients. This is especially beneficial for newborn infants and small children when they are receiving treatment for a tongue-tie or lip-tie.
- Reduced infection risk. Because of its light and heat, the laser sterilizes the area of tissue 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. Compared to shots and drills, your child will feel a difference leaving our office if they’ve received treatment with lasers.
Try Lasers Today
Heat, vibration and pressure are the primary causes of pain associated with the use of the traditional dental drill. These drills also cause anxiety, especially in young patients. Because we do pediatric dentistry, it is a no-brainer to use laser dentistry methods for treating our patients. If you want to know more about the advantages of dental laser treatment and what it can do for the health of your smile, call Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics today at (720) 887-6003!