Faqs of LASER DENTISTRY

Q What is laser dentistry ?
A laser is technological device which produces a beam of concentrated light bringing in energy into a patient's mouth, thus, sterilizing the infected area and sealing blood vessels minimizing pain or blood loss. This helps the dentist in doing the treatment with more efficiency and accuracy. Laser dentistry is a hassle-free treatment. In many cases, even the need of anesthetic injections is reduced.

Q: Are lasers new in the field of dentistry ?
After the invention of lasers in the 1960s, their use in dentistry was experimental and were used in limited hospitals. Now after more technological advancements, the use of lasers has become all the more effective. They are being widely used all around the world as it is a more comfortable process.

Q: Why should one choose laser dentistry ?
Laser dentistry has two major benefits. One is that, it makes the treatment more precise and accurate for the dentist. The second is that it reduces the pain as well as blood loss, during the process and after it.

Q: What are the procedures that can be done with laser dentistry ?
There are numerous procedures that can be done with laser dentistry, such as gum shaping, teeth whitening, detection of cavities, and gum reshaping and so on.

Q: What is the cost of laser dentistry ?
The procedures of laser dental procedures vary in their treatment type, time, age of the patient and so on. Your dentist can tell you better about this.

Q: What is the recovery time after laser dentistry treatment ?
The time of recovery depends on the procedure type, the body type that how does it heal after any injury or surgery, and so on. But in most of the cases, the recovery time is very small.

Q: How accurate are the lasers ?
The main reason that lasers are being used in dentistry is that they increase the level of accuracy and also the size of incisions is also reduced to as less as one-fifth of a millimeter across. Laser tools are more accurate.

Q: What are the benefits of laser dentistry ?
There are various benefits of laser dentistry:

• A dentist does not use a drill, thus making the procedure less-painful for the patients
• In many cases, the use of anesthesia is also reduced
• The user of laser makes the process more precise
• In comparison to the older treatments, the recovery time is also faster.
• Reduction in the amount of bacteria in diseased gum tissue as well as tooth cavities
• Less loss of blood during and after surgery

Q: Is laser dentistry safe ?
If a dentist is an expert, nothing as safe as laser dentistry is.

Q: Fever Blisters, Apthous Ulcers and Tooth Sensitivity

Dental lasers take advantage of the new diode lasers. If the laser is set in a non cutting mode it can be used to treat fever blisters, apthous ulcers and tooth sensitivity. The energy from the laser is able to stimulate the body's defenses to better fight some of the most vexing problems we have had to deal with in dentistry. The laser also helps kill viruses and in about 25% of the cases eliminates recurrent cases of cold sores. This same energy also can help seal the tubules in the tooth that are exposed causing sensitivity to hot and cold on your teeth. The laser can be used to treat almost any type of sore in the mouth. When broader areas need to be treated we use the healing laser or low level laser therapy.

Laser Teeth Whitening
Laser teeth whitening (also known as light-activated teeth whitening) is one of the newest methods available for teeth whitening. Laser treatment involves using a beam of special laser light on the desired areas of the mouth. Laser teeth whitening is popular because the procedure only takes an hour, and results can be seen instantly. The treatment begins by using bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide gel or carbamide peroxide gel on the tooth enamel. The gel is then activated using a controlled laser light. The result is a faster, more effective procedure with results of up to a 10 shade improvement.

What is Laser tooth whitening?
Tooth whitening is a bleaching process that lightens discolored and stained enamel. The laser whitening procedure begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. Protective eyewear is required during the entire procedure. The whitening gel is then applied and activated by our powerful diode laser. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter. You'll be amazed with the results.

Is whitening safe?
Yes, extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth-whitening procedure, laser whitening is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women. Tooth whitening is a well-established procedure in cosmetic dentistry.

How long do the results last?
By following some simple post whitening care instructions, your teeth will always remain lighter than they were before treatment. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend proper oral hygiene and occasional touch-ups with our take-home gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest.

Laser Depigmentation
Melanin hyper-pigmentation, or "dark gums", is prevalent in certain individuals who have darker complexions. These dark spots can cause an undesirable appearance to otherwise healthy, pink gums. Through dental laser technology, Your doctor can painlessly and accurately remove these problem areas. Laser treatment of dark gums can be done in as little as one office visit and with very quick healing time.

Sensitive Teeth and Fluoride Treatments
Lasers help people who suffer from sensitive teeth. When combined with a fluoride treatment, certain dental lasers can reduce sensitivity for upto 12 months. The effectiveness of this treatment depends on the type of laser used, and varies according to each individual patient. Dental lasers assist in the uptake of fluoride within teeth. These enhanced laser fluoride treatments are longer lasting and provide better protection for your teeth against decay.The laser procedure takes only ten minutes per session and two sessions are more than sufficient to take care of most of the tooth sensitivity problems.

Minor surgery Surgery to remove swellings and soft and hard tissue growths in and around the mouth can be performed quickly and easily with a dental laser.

Minor surgery performed with dental lasers will heal more quickly than conventional treatments. After a laser procedure, the treated area is left sterilised and sealed, and is advanced in the healing process compared to conventional treatments. The removed tissue is then sent for assessment.

Frenectomies and tongue ties
Many people have lips and tongues that are held too tight by the frenum (that ligament that attaches your lips and your tongue to your gum and jaw bone). This commonly causes a gap (diastema) in between the teeth, usually the front upper teeth and the front lower teeth. It can be the cause of speech problems. Many babies can find it difficult to suckle if they have tied tongues. Lactation specialists, early childhood nurses and speech therapists will often see this.

The conventional surgery to release frenums is quite traumatic, painful and can take a long time to heal. With lasers we can precisely and painlessly remove the tissue making it more comfortable for you. There is no bleeding afterwards, no sutures and hardly any discomfort. Children go to school the day after and adults can go back to work the same day. Eating is normal and a baby will suckle immediately after the procedure! It truly is an amazing way to have surgery.

Root Canal Treatment
Dental lasers are very good at targeting the bacteria which cause infected root canals in your teeth. A quick laser treatment can be very effective in treating the disease and promoting healing.

Laser Cavity Detection
A low-powered laser can be used to locate tiny pits within tooth enamel that can become cavities. The laser can detect decay early. Once located, the tiny spots on the tooth can be covered with a clear sealant in order to prevent cavities.

Cavity Removal
Cavity removal can be accomplished with dental lasers. The laser has the ability to remove decay within a tooth, and prepare the surrounding enamel for bonded fillings. The need for anesthesia is greatly reduced or eliminated over the traditional methods.

Crown lengthening
Laser crown lengthening is performed around teeth that are broken or have been filled below the gum line and now require treatment with a crown. For us to be able to clean and bond properly to healthy tooth structure, we need to see the tooth clearly and make sure the bonding doesn't interfere with the health of your gum and bone. Previously, this procedure would be performed by a specialist, at a separate visit, and require six to eight weeks of healing before crown preparation. Now, crown lengthening and crown preparation can be performed at the same visit, saving both time and money.

Gum lifts
During cosmetic procedures we often need to correct the level of the gum before veneers or crowns are made. Your smile is made up of lips, teeth and gums. They should all be in harmony. Usually this procedure is done with scalpels and sutures (especially if bone needs to be adjusted with a drill), and takes six to eight weeks of healing before your veneers or crowns can be made. It is a highly specialised cosmetic procedure that not any dentist can perform.

With laser gum lifts, gum and bone around teeth can be reshaped and balanced quickly and painlessly without sutures or swelling. Often the crowns or veneers can be finished at the time of your appointment or within two weeks.