How to Clean Teeth With a Co2 Laser

Dentistry technology is becoming more advanced with the use of lasers. Some dentists now use lasers to aid them in performing procedures to replace metal tools such as picks and drills. Lasers can be used to whiten and clean teeth or assist in surgical operations. A carbon dioxide, or CO2, laser uses CO2 gas. The laser works by absorbing watery tissue, but it does not perforate the skin -- it simply removes surface cells. The CO2 laser maintains sterility while cleaning teeth, but is also used for surgeries in the oral cavity, such as lesion removals, biopsies and gingivectomies.

Things You'll Need

• Metal dental cleaning tools
• CO2 laser
• water pick

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Instructions

• 1

  Use the metal pick to scrape off excess plaque and tartar buildup. Even with brushing and flossing regularly, plaque still accumulates. Once the plaque has been physically removed, the laser is introduced, as the heat also helps to kill bacteria between the teeth and gums.

• 2

  Clean the teeth using the CO2 laser. The beam from the laser is invisible; a second laser beam is added so that the dentist to see the first laser's energy. The laser-cleaning process often sounds painful to patients, but due to the low power involved it is more comfortable than the metal tools.

• 3

  Using the water pick, rinse away any remaining plaque that was loosened by the laser. Rinse your mouth.