What Is Laser Dentistry?

Posted on: 24 September 2018

Some dentists today are beginning to incorporate the use of lasers into their dentistry practices. A laser is an instrument used for many types of medical procedures, and it can be helpful with a lot of dentistry procedures too. If you have not yet heard of this and are wondering what it involves, here are several things you should know about laser dentistry.

Dentists use them for many common procedures

Dentists can use lasers for a variety of different types of procedures. For example, dentists can use them to remove decay from a tooth instead of using a drill. Dentists can also use lasers to seal up tubules on the teeth to decrease sensitivity of the teeth. In addition, dentists who treat gum disease often use lasers now to remove plaque and help heal the gums. A laser is also used for whitening teeth. These are the most common uses for lasers in the field of dentistry, but some dentists use them for additional services.

The use of a laser offers benefits for oral services

When a dentist uses a laser to perform a procedure instead of other types of dental tools, a patient can benefit in several ways. The first benefit is that there is typically less pain involved with a laser, which is a benefit patients tend to love. Secondly, lasers minimize bleeding, which helps the mouth heal faster after a dental procedure is completed. The use of lasers also minimizes the risks of infections forming. Because the mouth heals faster after a procedure, there is always a lower risk of infection. Some people love the benefit of not having to listen to the sound of a drill during a dental procedure. There are even more benefits than this, but these are the top ones.

Lasers have limits

While lasers can help dentists complete a lot of different services, there are still some services that cannot be completed with a laser. For example, if a tooth has a filling on it already, a dentist cannot use a laser to perform work on that tooth. The energy and heat from the laser could harm the existing filling. A laser is great for performing certain parts of procedures, but it cannot be used for entire procedures in many cases. For example, after a laser is used for removing decay, a dentist must still complete the filling procedure with traditional methods.

If you are interested in learning more about laser dentistry, or if you would like to schedule a checkup with a dentist, contact a family dental clinic in your town today.

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