Dental | Dental Articles

For decades, going to the dentist has been seen as a horrifying and painful experience at worst and an annoyance at best. Part of the reason for this is that previous technologies weren’t patient-friendly. Today that is all changing with the advent of laser dentistry.

What is Laser Dentistry?

Laser dentistry is an FDA and ADA approved form of dentistry that uses a laser to energize a spray of water and air. This energized spray chips away at any tooth decay or lesions with the same results as traditional drill dentistry.

Who Can Use It?

Laser dentistry can be used by both children and adults, although its use in pediatrics is still not as widespread.

What Can It Do?

Laser technology is used most commonly to remove cavities and to remedy gum problems. However, it is also used for other dental procedures such as root canals and cosmetic bleaching.

Why Use It?

Laser dentistry has many benefits when compared to traditional dentistry, including the following:
Elimination of the vibrations and pressure of the drill
No need for anesthesia, since it is pain free
More precise than the drill
Can be completed in minutes instead of hours
No frightening noises from the drill means a less traumatic visit, especially for kids
Faster healing time
No numbness due to the fact numbing medications aren’t used; no embarrassment from drooping “dentist mouth”
More comfortable than the drill for the patient
Lower risk of infection
Less jaw discomfort, since the laser is fast and doesn’t require the mouth to be open for long periods
Less missed work due to time-extensive traditional drilling or effects of anesthetics

These benefits mean that people are more likely to go see their dentist not only for reactive care, but also for preventative check-ups that can eliminate the need for painful and more expensive procedures later on.

Does It Have Limitations?

Laser dentistry does have some limitations based on how the technology works. It cannot be used to polish a filling, for instance, and it won’t work on teeth that already have fillings. Additionally, the technology is fairly new-it’s only been around for about a decade. This means that not very many dental clinics are equipped with the lasers and that procedures that use them still can be a bit pricey. Lastly, the newness of the technology also means that not all dentists are trained to use the lasers. Patients may have to travel quite a distance to a dentist who has the equipment and is trained to use it, especially if the patient is a child. Overall, however, laser dentistry is by far the best form of dentistry when it comes to patient comfort and is probably well worth overcoming the limitations that do exist.

About the Author:
Wanda Marie Thibodeaux is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dentist or more dentistry articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Laser Dentistry: No More Drilling!