What Is Laser Dentistry?

By Andrew M. Sklar, DDS

Andrew M. Sklar, DDS, PC

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What Is Laser Dentistry?

Use of lasers in the dental office is becoming more and more common. What is a laser, how does it work and could it be right for you?

A laser is an instrument that produces a very narrow, intense beam of light energy. When laser light comes in contact with tissue, it causes a reaction. Laser light can remove or shape tissue.

Dental lasers can be used to

Reduce the discomfort of aphthous ulcers/canker sores in your mouth and herpes lesions/cold sores on your lip.

Perform a frenectomy removal of muscle attachments that limit proper movement. Two examples of this are a) removal of the tissue tag under the upper lip that is either pulling on the gum or is so thick it causes a gap between the two front teeth; and b) cutting back the tissue under the tongue if it is limiting tongue movement and interfering with speech.

Manage gum tissue during impressions for crowns or other procedures. The dentist can make a very accurate impression with no bleeding or gum in the way and there is no post procedure gum soreness.

Perform excision of tumors/lesions or do a biopsy.

Reduce the amount of bacteria and bleeding during surgery and decrease post-operative pain and swelling. The laser coagulates the blood and seals the capillaries and lymphatic channels, reducing swelling and lessening post-op discomfort.

There is less pain both during and after surgery because nerve endings that respond to pain usually do not respond to laser treatment. With lasers, minor surgery may only require the use of topical anesthetic gel to numb the tissue, so an injection and hours of facial numbness can be avoided.

Cut through the gum, without the use of a scalpel, to expose an implant, after the gum and bones have healed, so that a healing abutment can be placed on it.

Disinfect gum pockets by killing germs and disrupting biofilm. Can also be used to remove inflamed gum tissue, reduce the amount of bacteria in both diseased gum tissue and tooth cavities, and help tissue reattach.

Perform a gingivectomy-reshaping of the gum around a tooth usually done for cosmetic reasons.

So you can see that lasers can be used as a safe and effective treatment for a wide range of dental procedures reducing bacteria, decreasing pain and bleeding, speeding up healing, and sometimes even eliminating the need for the drill or an injection, allowing the patient to enjoy a more relaxed dental experience.