One of the most cutting-edge technological advances in the world of oral health involves the use of dental lasers. Laser dental service in Las Vegas continues to transform how dental professionals care for patients. You probably have a few questions if you don’t know much about laser dentistry and how it works. We’re here to answer the most common questions about laser dentistry to help you understand what it is, how it works, and what benefits it can offer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Lasers – Answered!
What Exactly Is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry is a branch of dentistry that uses lasers to address several oral health conditions that patients have. Dentists who use this method must train to use specialized lasering tools instead of shots and drills. Moreover, they use lasers to detect cavities, fix gum problems, eliminate decay from a tooth, perform oral surgery, treat snoring, and remove fibroma.
Instead of cutting tissue, using shots for anesthesia, drills to cut away the toot, and using bulky machines to prevent snoring, dentists can use lasers to address oral health issues. In addition, laser dentistry offers more benefits than traditional methods. It is an excellent alternative for patients who want a quicker recovery and a better experience at the dentist’s office. To view more about the dos and don’ts of recovering from laser gum surgery you can view more here.
What Is a Dental Laser?
LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Moreover, a laser is a device that releases light energy through an optical amplification process based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. In simple terms, lasers emit incredibly narrow beams of light that are useful in multiple instruments and technologies.
A dental laser refers to a device that produces a single wavelength of light energy directed at the patient’s tooth, gum, or soft tissue to whiten teeth, eliminate tooth decay, and treat periodontal disease and soft tissue disorders with accuracy and precision. The dentist adjusts the light’s wavelength and intensity based on the desired result and whether the dental procedure is on hard or soft tissue.
What Is the History of Laser Dentistry?
In 1960, an American engineer physicist named Theodore Maiman successfully fired the first laser at the Hughes Research Laboratory in California by shining a high-power flash lamp on a silver-coated ruby rod. His discovery later paved the way for the subsequent development of other types of lasers, including dental lasers.
Moreover, researchers first explored laser dentistry shortly after Maiman developed the first ruby laser until the first medical-grade laser was introduced in 1963. The first dental laser application used ruby for the laser medium. The device produced irregular pulses as it effectively vaporized tooth enamel.
However, concerns about the technology’s safety caused dental researchers to move from Ruby-based lasers to CO2 lasers and Er:YAG lasers. As a result, the world has seen an explosion of research studies in dental laser application over the last few decades.
What Are the Benefits of Laser Dentistry?
It’s Minimally Invasive
Dental lasers are built to work without pressure, continuous vibration, and heat, allowing patients to feel lower pressure while sealing off nerves during use. For these reasons, they eliminate the need for dental drills that cause discomfort and may only require little or no anesthesia. As a result, patients experience less anxiety and can relax and feel comfortable during their procedure.
It Minimizes the Risk of Bleeding and Infection
Patients with gum disease are susceptible to gum bleeding and bone loss due to harmful bacteria in the teeth and gum pockets. The dental laser’s high-energy light beam sterilizes the affected area and seals blood vessels to encourage immediate blood clotting. As a result, laser dentistry reduces the patient’s risk of bleeding, bacterial infection, and other complications.
It Protects the Mouth from Trauma
Laser treatments are known for their precise nature. Unlike handheld and high-speed drills that may cause hairline cracks on teeth and damage to soft oral tissue, dental lasers preserve the mouth’s healthy areas during procedures, ultimately reducing the need for dental restoration.
It Promotes a Shorter Healing Time and Quicker Recovery
Traditional methods involving handheld dental tools can potentially cause injury to the teeth and the oral cavity’s surrounding tissue and prolong recovery times. Dental lasers result in minimal trauma to treated areas because they exclusively target the affected soft or hard tissues as the lasers reshape or remove them. Consequently, laser dentistry promotes reduced and pain-free recovery times.
It’s Optimizable for Patients
Since highly trained dental professionals can adjust the laser beam’s wavelength and power level depending on the type of treatment, they have maximum control over the procedure. Furthermore, this control allows them to complete the process while serving the patient’s specific needs.
Considering Laser Dental Service in Las Vegas?
At Dee for Dentist, we offer safe and comfortable dentistry for all patients. If you’re ready to experience top-quality dental care, contact our office today to make an appointment.
