What Is Laser Dentistry?
Innovations in dental technology have positively affected almost all aspects of dental surgery and treatments at Dr. Fieldhouse & Dr. Peterson in La Grange Park. Laser dentistry is a minimally invasive, effective, and precise method of treating many dental problems such as cavities and gum diseases.
How Laser Treatment Works
Laser dentistry, which was first made available commercially in 1989, uses a dental laser to treat various dental conditions. This procedure, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, uses energy in an extremely focused thin beam of light to mold or eliminate mouth tissues.
Minor laser treatments do not require anesthesia, as our patients remain comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure. Many of our patients prefer laser treatments at Dr. Fieldhouse & Dr. Peterson as they do not require any drilling or scaling. Sometimes laser dentistry is recommended for children who are afraid of drilling. Laser dentistry procedures also result in quicker healing with minimal bleeding.
Types of Dental Lasers
Two types of lasers are used for dental procedures: hard tissue and soft tissue lasers. These lasers use different wavelengths to treat specific tissues.
Hard Tissue Laser
The wavelength of hard tissue lasers can cut through bone and the calcium phosphate of teeth. Hard tissue lasers precisely remove small amounts by cutting through the teeth and are used for shaping, treating cavities, and preparing teeth for dental fillings.
Soft Tissue Laser
Soft tissue lasers are absorbed by water and hemoglobin easily, making them effective for cutting through soft tissues such as gums and closing the exposed blood vessels. This laser is also ideal for cosmetic dental procedures as well as gum reshaping, lengthening crowns, and treating restricted tongue movements.
Uses of Dental Lasers
Dental lasers are commonly used for the following:
- Teeth whitening. Light soft tissue lasers can help speed up the bleaching process to make teeth whiter.
- Cold sores. Low-intensity soft tissue lasers can be used to treat cold sores and speed up the healing process.
- Temporomandibular Joint. Lasers are used to reduce inflammation and pain associated with the temporomandibular joint in the jaw.
- Sleep apnea. A laser-assisted uvula palatoplasty procedure can treat sleep apnea caused by tissue overgrowth in the throat by reshaping the affected areas of the throat.
- Gum diseases. Soft tissue lasers are used to treat gum inflammation by reshaping the affected areas and reducing the healing time.
- Benign tumors. Lasers are used for suture-free, pain-free removal of benign tumors from lips, cheeks, gums, and the palate.
What To Expect During Laser Treatment Procedure
The first step is to identify the dental issue. After our dentist physically examines your mouth and determines whether laser dentistry is the accurate solution to your problem, they can start the procedure. Laser dentistry does not involve any tooth drilling, so our patients do not feel significant pain or discomfort, but slight bleeding may occur in some cases.
With laser treatments in La Grange Park, there is almost zero probability of developing pain and swelling in the treated areas. The chances of developing an infection after laser dentistry are much lower than with other invasive dental processes as the laser sterilizes the gums.
Laser Dentistry Options Near Me
Whether your dental concerns are serious issues or simply cosmetic, laser dentistry is a reliable solution to many dental problems. Ask your dentist at Dr. Fieldhouse & Dr. Peterson whether laser treatments are right for you.
