Laser Technology & Dentistry
I feel not a day goes by without a patient mentioning how far dentistry has come in its technological advances. With digital impressions, intuitive software design, 3D printing, and advanced imaging, dental care is moving into the future with the speed of light. Speaking of light, another advancement paving a bright future for dentistry is dental laser therapy.
There are many different types of lasers depending on their source and wavelength, from diode and CO2, to erbium and Nd:YAG. The differences also come according to their function and use. Specific lasers produce certain levels of heat while others interact with specific molecules or tissue composition.
Therefore, the application of the laser may differ as to whether its use is for hard or soft tissue, or for bacterial removal or blood clotting. It is essential for your dentist to understand the mechanism of the laser in conjunction with the type of desired treatment outcome.
With the various laser types come various laser procedures. Many dental procedures are complimented with the use of lasers. Tissue surgery, tissue contouring, lesion removal, dental implant exposure, and other soft tissue therapies are performed predictably and with faster healing with laser use.
Periodontal therapy can also be enhanced with the use of lasers for bacterial reduction and stimulation of inflammatory factors crucial for healing. Lasers are often used to treat tongue or lip ties for children and adults, as well as removing excess gum tissue to create improved smile esthetics.
Certain lasers can also treat hard tissue for not only bone contouring, but even fillings can be performed without the use of a dental drill with the added benefit of no anesthesia. As seen, the gambit of laser use spans from TMJ muscle and even sleep therapy to dental cleanings and teeth whitening.
With the advancement of dental technology, we are witnessing the advent of the dental laser era. As with all progress it appears the sky is the limit for future laser use, and with it comes a ray of hope that your smile will be forged with laser accuracy.
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940.455.7645
