Laser Dentistry

Laser Dentistry - Laser dentistry can be a precise and effective way to perform many dental procedures. The potential for laser dentistry to improve dental procedures rests in the dentist's ability to control power output and the duration of exposure on the tissue (whether gum or tooth structure), allowing for treatment of a highly specific area of focus without damaging surrounding tissues. Laser technology provides with precision treatment that may minimize pain and recovery time.

Here are some of the major benefits associated with laser dentistry:

§  Procedures performed using soft tissue dental lasers may not require sutures (stitches).

§  Certain laser dentistry procedures do not require anesthesia.

§  Laser dentistry minimizes bleeding because the high-energy light beam aids in the clotting (coagulation) of exposed blood vessels, thus inhibiting blood loss.

§  Bacterial infections are minimized because the high-energy beam sterilizes the area being worked on.

§  Damage to surrounding tissue is minimized.

§  Wounds heal faster and tissues can be regenerated

·         De-pigmentation of the Gums - (Single sitting) - Melanin, carotene and hemoglobin are the most common natural pigments contributing to the normal color of the gums. Complaints about "black gums" are common. Gingival depigmentation has been carried out using non-surgical and surgical procedures. Discolouration may also be caused by long term use of certain medications or smoking.

A dental laser can target and ablate the melanocytes, thus reducing the production of melanin in the gingival tissue. Following laser depigmentation, the gingiva heals by secondary intention. This results in a lighter and more uniform color of the gums

·         Laser supported Periodontic Treatment - (Single and Multiple Sittings) - Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory diseases affecting the gums. Periodontitis is caused by microorganisms that adhere to and grow on the tooth's surfaces, along with an overly aggressive immune response against these microorganisms. Periodontitis involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth, and if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.

Removal of microbial  plaque and calculus is necessary to establish periodontal health. The first step in the treatment of periodontitis involves non-surgical cleaning below the gumline with a procedure called scaling and debridement.  If non-surgical therapy is found to have been unsuccessful in managing signs of disease activity, periodontal surgery may be needed to stop progressive bone loss and regenerate lost bone where possible. There are many surgical approaches used in treatment of advanced periodontitis, including open flap debridement, osseous surgery, as well as guided tissue regeneration and bone grafting. The goal of periodontal surgery is access for definitive calculus removal and surgical management of bony irregularities which have resulted from the disease process to reduce pockets as much as possible.

But why opt for surgery when LAZER treatment is available. It is a non-invasive, gentle alternative to the scalpel and suture procedure. It is able to spare the loss of gum tissue and there is no pain because no cutting is involved. Laser periodontal surgery eliminates up to 99% of bacteria that causes gum disease. You will probably be surprised (maybe disappointed) to know that after the procedure you can return back to work immediately. Laser periodontal surgery is not associated with significant bleeding, swelling, infection, or post-op discomfort.

·         Laser supported Endodontic Treatment - (Single and Multiple Sittings) – Endodontic involve a variety of procedures including root canal therapy, endodontic retreatment, surgery, treating cracked teeth, and treating dental trauma. Root canal therapy is one of the most common procedures. If the pulp (containing nerves, arterioles and venules as well as lymphatic tissue and fibrous tissue) becomes diseased or injured, endodontic treatment is required to save the tooth. When the pulp is diseased or injured and unable to repair itself, it becomes infected. Left untreated, the pulp will die and become necrotic. Pus can build up at the root tip, forming an abscess that can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth.

Laser procedures are performed with specially designed tips that are flexible and narrow, and can easily navigate inside the canal to effectively clean and remove diseased tissue. Other advantages of laser endodontics include: laser irradiation in the root canal can reduce bacterial pathogens; laser energy can remove debris and smear layer, which consists of organic and tooth substances (inorganic, organic elements such as pulp tissue, debris, odontoplastic processes, micro-organisms and blood cells); the laser energy also removes dentin from the canal wall and can smoothen and resolidify the dentin to close the openings of tubules, resulting in a smooth internal structure and a better apical seal for the obturation material.

·         Laser supported Restorative treatment - (Single and Multiple Sittings) - Hard tissue dental lasers may eliminate the need for a local anesthetic injection and the traditional turbine dental drill. Lasers used in dental filling procedures are capable of killing bacteria located in a cavity, potentially leading to improved long term tooth restorations. However, dental lasers are not appropriate for the replacement of amalgam fillings, onlays or crowns

·         Laser Teeth Whitening System – (Single Sitting) - Low intensity soft tissue dental lasers is used to speed up the bleaching process. (For more details refer to cosmetic dentistry)

Other application of Laser Dentistry

·         Cavity Detector: Low intensity soft tissue dental lasers may be used for the early detection of cavities by providing a reading of the by-products produced by tooth decay

·         Tooth Sensitivity: Dental lasers may be used to seal tubules (located on the root of the tooth) that are responsible for hot and cold tooth sensitivity.

·         Crown Lengthening: Dental lasers can reshape gum tissue (soft tissue laser) and bone (hard tissue laser) to expose healthier tooth structure. Referred to as crown lengthening, such reshaping provides a stronger foundation for the placement of restorations.

·         Gummy Smile: Dental lasers can reshape gum tissue to expose healthy tooth structure and improve the appearance of a gummy smile.

·         Muscle Attachment (Frenula): A laser frenectomy is an ideal treatment option for children who are tongue tied (restricted or tight frenulum) and babies unable to breast feed adequately due to limited tongue movement. A laser frenectomy may also help to eliminate speech impediments.

·         Soft Tissue Folds (Epulis): Dental lasers may be used for the painless and suture-free removal of soft tissue folds often caused by ill-fitting dentures.

·         Viewing Tooth and Gum Tissues: Optical Coherence Tomography is a safer way to see inside tooth and gums in real time.

·         Benign Tumors: Dental lasers may be used for the painless and suture-free removal of benign tumors from the gums, palate, sides of cheeks and lips.

·         Cold Sores: Low intensity dental lasers reduce pain associated with cold sores and minimize healing time.

·         Nerve Regeneration: Photobiomodulation can be used to regenerate damaged nerves, blood vessels and scars.

·         Sleep Apnea: In cases where sleep apnea is a result of a tissue overgrowth in areas of the throat (which sometimes occurs with age), a laser assisted uvuloplasty or laser assisted uvula palatoplasty (LAUP) procedure can be performed to reshape the throat and relieve the correlating breathing problems associated with sleep apnea

·         Temporomandibular Joint Treatment: Dental lasers may be used to quickly reduce pain and inflammation of the temporomandibular jaw joint.