What is laser dentistry?
Laser dentistry has been around for many years. In dentistry, we use concentrated light energy to help reshape the gums, perform biopsies, do gum contouring, and remove inflamed oral tissues. We even use it for teeth whitening. There are many good uses for dental lasers, and we generally categorize them as lasers used on soft tissues, hard tissues, and for other procedures.
When a laser is used on soft tissues, it means we're working on the soft areas in your mouth, such as the gums. One of the most common applications is using a laser to assist with gum disease treatment. When it comes to hard tissues, we can use a laser for some cavities. We can also use lasers for procedures such as teeth whitening, frenectomies, and treating canker sores. It's a very useful tool that has become a great part of dentistry.
How does laser gum treatment work?
When it comes to gum disease, you need to understand what gum disease means. It can involve tartar buildup, bacteria, and problems with the gums that cause the gums and bone to recede. When a dentist measures the pockets around the teeth, patients with gum disease may have very deep pockets.
The first thing the dentist will do is use a Cavitron, which is a machine that uses water, to remove the larger pieces of calculus and tartar. Then we go in with hand instruments to smooth the root surfaces. In the past, that's where treatment stopped, but bacteria can remain deeper underneath the gums.
With the laser, we can apply a laser beam deeper into the pocket. We go back and forth to help reduce the bacterial load, and then we can use the laser beam to remove inflamed tissue. By the time everything is done, there is less bacteria, the tartar and calculus have been removed, and the root has been smoothed. The laser can also help control bleeding by sealing blood vessels.
Patients may go home with less discomfort than they would have without the laser. Of course, laser treatment can't replace good home care. With good home care and the treatment delivered in the office, we can see prominent changes in the periodontal pockets. The laser is a wonderful tool to assist with gum disease treatment.
What is the difference between laser gum treatment and traditional deep cleaning?
We need to differentiate the two. The traditional treatment for gum disease is a deep cleaning, technically called scaling and root planing. That's the main treatment for gum disease. The dentist has to physically clean away the tartar, reach into the deep pockets, and smooth the root surfaces. You can't replace that step.
When we use a laser, it's meant to assist as a supplemental or adjunctive treatment on top of the deep cleaning. It's not about laser treatment being better or traditional treatment being better. The laser is meant to help improve the result and may help you feel better and heal faster.
What are the pros and cons of laser dentistry for gum disease?
The advantages of using a laser are that it may help you heal faster and reduce more of the bacterial load than deep cleaning alone. It doesn't require cutting or stitches, and it can remove inflamed soft tissue. The goal of gum disease treatment is to reduce the periodontal pockets, and the laser can be helpful when used along with regular deep cleaning.
One disadvantage is that laser treatment costs more, and it doesn't replace the traditional physical scaling and root planing that the dentist has to provide. It also takes a little extra time, although usually only a few extra minutes. Insurance generally doesn't cover the laser, so that's something to keep in mind.
You also shouldn't rely solely on the laser. It can't replace your homework. Brushing and flossing well and coming back to see the dentist every three months, when recommended, are still important. The laser settings also have to be appropriate because settings that are too strong can potentially burn the gums or other tissues in the mouth.
There may also be deeper or more significant problems associated with gum disease. The laser doesn't treat everything. Again, it's an adjunctive treatment that we've found helpful on top of deep cleaning. If you have more significant problems, the dentist may advise you to consider additional treatment beyond the laser.
How does laser dentistry help with fillings?
A laser beam can be used on the hard enamel of the tooth to remove some tooth structure. Keep in mind that enamel is very hard, so the laser can only remove so much. That's why laser treatment generally can't replace the traditional dental bur for deeper, larger cavities.
For a very small filling, however, the laser can be a very good tool. Sometimes, depending on the situation, you might not even need to be numb. When it comes to potentially avoiding a shot, a lot of patients are interested in using a laser for their filling.
How does laser dentistry help with teeth whitening?
To understand how the laser assists with teeth whitening, you need to understand the whitening process. We use a whitening ingredient such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. After the dentist or staff isolates the gums, we put a strong gel containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide onto your teeth. It takes some time for the gel to work on the teeth.
While we're waiting, we can use a laser or another light source to activate the whitening material and help it work faster. Given enough time, the whitening material itself can produce the intended result, but the light can help speed up the process. That can be helpful for patients who don't have much time or want to see their results faster.
How is laser dentistry used for gum contouring?
When we're talking about gum contouring, we're often talking about the front teeth. Some people show a lot of gum when they smile, which is sometimes called a gummy smile. We can use a laser to shape the gums so the gumline is more even across the front teeth or so that more of the teeth and less of the gums show.
When we use the laser to cut and reshape the gums, there may be less sensitivity, bleeding, and trauma, which can make healing easier. However, not everybody is a candidate for laser gum contouring because certain cases require more than reshaping the gum tissue. There may be bone that needs reshaping, or the patient may already have gum disease. In those situations, treatment may involve more than just reshaping the gums with a laser.
Another situation where we can use the laser to reshape the gums, especially in younger adults, is when a molar has only partially erupted through the gum. Some of the tooth may be visible, while half or more of it is still under the gum, forming a pocket. Food can get trapped in that pocket, which can lead to inflamed gums, trapped bacteria, or cavities.
If a cavity needs to be treated in that area, the dentist may need to reshape the gum and remove the tissue covering the tooth so the tooth is exposed enough to place the filling. That's another situation where a laser can be useful. We can reshape the gum around the tooth while helping control bleeding, and the patient may experience less discomfort afterward.
Am I a candidate for laser dentistry?
The dentist will evaluate your situation and advise you accordingly. In general, one of the most common applications for the laser is assisting with deep cleaning. For gum reshaping, the dentist can evaluate whether laser treatment alone is appropriate or whether bone reduction may also be needed.
Lasers can also be used to assist with teeth whitening. Another possible use is around a partially erupted tooth, where the dentist may use a laser to remove or reshape the gum tissue. In general, the dentist can evaluate your individual situation and discuss whether you're a good candidate for laser dentistry.
How much does laser dentistry cost?
One important thing to remember is that insurance generally doesn't cover laser treatment. In general, laser dentistry can cost anywhere from about $200 to $800 or $900, depending on the procedure. The cost depends on the severity and complexity of the case, the expertise of the dentist, and how extensively the laser needs to be used.
Want to learn more? Call Miracle Dental at (702) 847-8662 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.