Lasers

Laser technology in dentistry is the forefront of modern and high-quality evidence-based dentistry since the 1990s. Across the globe, lasers are the most modern standard to manage decay, bleeding and gum surgery.

Patients who may benefit from a dental practice using laser therapy would be those who are nervous about the surgery and would like the highest measures of safety.

Here at Elegant Smiles, we use lasers to help save compromised teeth that would otherwise not be restorable. Practitioners can improve the gum heights using lasers in order to provide advanced restorative treatment in order to save teeth in a procedure called crown lengthening.

Laser therapy is highly specific and concentrated on small areas so ensures a small working area and less discomfort.

Gum laser therapy has the added benefit of advanced healing time chairside to prevent excessive blood loss.

Types of dental lasers

1.Hard tissue lasers – used on teeth

Used for;

• detecting cavities,
• removing decay,
• killing bacteria,
• sealing sensitive dentinal tubules,
• restoring teeth without drills.

2. Soft tissue lasers – used on gums

Used for;

• crown lengthening procedures also are known as restoring heavily broken down teeth,
• cosmetically re-contouring gums,
• frenectomies for orthodontics, removing tongue ties or speech impediments (specialist advised),
• removal of soft tissue abnormalities (specialist advised).

Benefits of laser therapy

• Some procedures do not need a local anaesthetic
• Lowers the likelihood of needing stitches
• Minimises bleeding and suited to those with rare medical conditions or medications increasing the bleeding risk
• Reduced risk of bacterial infections post operatively
• Small working field reduces damaging other structures in the mouth
• Fast wound healing and tissue regeneration
• Reduced scarring or no scarring
• Reduces time of surgery
• Comfortable

Novel advancement of lasers is now aiming to help to scale and root planning around teeth.

At Elegant Smiles, we take pride in being part of the estimated 6% of global practices using dental lasers.

Information from “Your Dentistry Guide” and Dr Rajaishree Armugam – researcher in practitioners managing inherited bleeding disorders.