It ’ s Your Smile
Lasers in Dentistry : A Bright Future
By
Dr . Jernell Escobar
Dr . Escobar has been practicing dentistry in the Bay Area since 2006 . She took over Dr . Palmerlee ’ s practice when he retired in 2012 . She is passionate about providing exceptional oral health care in a patient centered environment . Dr . Escobar participates in continuing education seminars with other leading clinicians in exploring new and innovative methods and materials for restoring smiles .
We are continuing our series with a discussion about lasers and their use in dentistry . Laser ( Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation ) technology has been used in various types of medical procedures for decades . Over the past several years , lasers have become a useful method for treating a variety of dental conditions with great success . This includes treating cavities , gum disease , surgical procedures and root canals to name a few . It is important to mention that the lasers used in dentistry come in a variety of types and that there is no one laser that is suitable for every procedure . The two most common types of lasers used are hard-tissue and soft-tissue lasers . The former has the ability to precisely remove tooth structure as well as soft tissue while the latter is primarily used to treat soft tissue .
Aside from the syringe , the one piece of dental equipment that strikes fear in the hearts of many is the dental handpiece , or as many like to call it , the “ drill .” What if you could have a cavity prepared and filled without using either a syringe or a handpiece ? That is actually possible now with a dental laser . Depending on the size and location of the cavity , the laser is able to remove the decay and often do this without any anesthesia . The dentist has the ability to adjust the parameters of the laser to remove the diseased tooth structure at a rate that does not elicit a pain response from the tooth . Because of the great variety in pain thresholds and body chemistry , it is impossible to say that everyone will be able to be treated without anesthesia , but for most it is possible . This ability to treat decay without anesthesia has been extremely useful in treating children .
Another exciting use for dental lasers is the treatment of gum disease . Lasers have the ability to precisely and selectively interact with diseased tissue . Gum disease and periodontal disease ( disease of the supporting bone ) can often be a frustrating dental condition to treat . The underlying cause of gum disease is bacteria . Bacteria can often be elusive creatures to treat and recur at a very high rate . Typical therapies include more frequent cleanings , deep cleanings and the use of localized medicaments . If the disease has progressed significantly , then surgical intervention may be suggested . Incorporating a laser into the treatment of gum disease can dramatically improve treatment outcome and long-term stability . In addition , lasers are being used as an alternative to traditional gum surgery with great success . One of the reasons for this is how the laser interacts with the bacteria causing the disease . Certain laser wavelengths actually target and kill harmful bacteria . Also , the laser , through a process called bio-stimulation , can stimulate and bolster the healing process .
Lasers have also become the treatment modality of choice for minor oral surgery procedures . For example , the removal of small growths , the removal of gum tissue for esthetic concerns and the release of a “ tongue-tie ” to name a few . The use of lasers can be less invasive , often eliminate the need for sutures and result in dramatically shorter healing times .
In conclusion , the technology of lasers has evolved dramatically in medicine and dentistry over the last decade . The use of dental lasers is expanding and becoming more widely used by dentists each year . It is possible that in the future lasers could conceivably replace the dental handpiece . In the hands of a properly trained dentist the laser is an invaluable addition to the dental practice .
This is the fourth in a series of articles , which will attempt to address some of the most common questions that are regularly posed to dental practitioners . We hope that the reader will find this to be useful and perhaps find answers to questions they might have regarding dental procedures . We will preface all of these articles by reminding the reader that no armchair diagnosis or advice is a substitute for a trip to a dental professional . Every person ’ s case is unique and proper diagnosis and treatment planning with a dental professional is essential for optimal case outcome .
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