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Dental Laser Procedures

Many dental procedures can be performed with lasers. According to WebMD, lasers have been used to treat a variety of dental problems since 1994. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved dental laser systems, but the American Dental Association (ADA) does not give its Seal of Acceptance to any laser system. As of 2009, the ADA stated that it was optimistic about the use of lasers in dentistry, and many dentists use lasers to treat various conditions.

  1. Hard Tissue

    • Hard tissue refers to the actual teeth. Low-intensity dental lasers can detect cavities earlier than conventional methods by providing dentists with a reading of the byproducts of tooth decay. Lasers can aid dentists in preparing a tooth for a filling and eliminate the need for Novocain injections. Precision lasers help dentists remove decay and prepare enamel for a filling. Lasers can also harden the filling. If you have problems with tooth sensitivity, your dentist may use lasers to seal the tubules on the root of the tooth that cause your teeth to respond to hot and cold temperatures. Low-intensity lasers can aid dentists with teeth whitening procedures to speed up the process.

    Soft Tissue

    • Soft-tissue dentistry procedures are performed on the gums. Dentists can use lasers to remove bacteria from the gums caused by gum disease and reshape them to improve your smile's appearance. Some dentists use lasers for crown-lengthening procedures in which they reshape the gums and bone to expose a healthy tooth for placing restorations. Lasers can remove tissue to be tested for cancer cells and remove canker sores from the gums and inside of the mouth as well.

    Pros and Cons

    • Lasers usually cause less pain than traditional dental drills and reduce the need for anesthesia. Many dental patients are more relaxed when undergoing laser procedures due to the absence of a dental drill. Bleeding and swelling are common during traditional soft-tissue procedures to treat gum disease and other gum problems. Lasers reduce these side effects, making soft-tissue procedures smoother. When cavities are removed, pieces of healthy tooth often go along with them. Since lasers are more precise than traditional dental tools, laser procedures preserve more of the healthy tooth.

      Laser treatments are generally more expensive than traditional procedures, and some insurance companies may not cover work done with lasers. Anesthesia is still needed for some laser procedures, so the need for it is not completely eliminated. Lasers cannot be used on teeth that already have fillings, nor can they fill cavities between teeth or around old fillings.

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