Laser Dentistry: Not as Frightening as it Sounds
It's absolutely normal to feel a little anxious and uncomfortable when visiting the dentist. So what are dentists doing to put their patients at ease? Lasers. That's right, they're using lasers because apparently drills weren't terrifying enough. I imagine while the dental hygienist is prepping you, the dentist is using his lasers to drill to the center of the earth where he's gathering crystal magnesium nuggets (I hear those are worth a lot in post-apocalyptic times) and plotting to rule the universe with his laser technology. But in actuality, the incorporation of lasers in dentistry is supposed to be less painful than the standard practice. So instead of freaking out about laser dentistry, just pretend you're in the movie Total Recall and it just so happens that you're going to the dentist.
What is it?
Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) dentistry is the latest progression of dental technology which aims to make dental procedures quicker, more effective, and more comfortable for the patient. In fact, more and more general dentists are incorporating lasers into their procedures (approximately six percent), with the number expected to grow in the upcoming years as dental laser technology is being perfected.
Generally speaking, there are two main types of laser procedures applied to dentistry- hard tissue laser procedures and soft tissue laser procedures. Hard tissue refers to teeth, in which the primary use of hard tissue lasers are to cut into bone and teeth with extreme precision (is it just me, or do you get the feeling that the next wave of super-villain terrorists will be dentists?). Common procedures used with hard tissue lasers are dental fillings, in which the laser replaces the traditional turbine drill by killing bacteria located directly in the cavity, and sealing tubules (located on the root) which are responsible for tooth sensitivity to hot and cold.
Soft tissue lasers deal more commonly with procedures involving the gums, as they aim to penetrate soft tissue while sealing blood vessels and nerve endings. This type of laser (based largely in carbon dioxide) helps to minimize damage in surrounding tissue and allows tissues to heal faster. Common procedures involving soft tissue lasers are crown lengthening, in which the laser reshapes gum tissue to implement healthier tooth structure, the correction of a gummy smile (Google-image Joni Mitchell, Mr. Ed), and frenectomies, which aim to correct muscle attachment problems that can cause limited tongue movement and speech impediments (are you listening Mike Tyson... I mean that in the most respectful way, sir).
There are also a myriad of other lasers that are being implemented in dental procedures ranging from the removal of benign tumors and cold sores, removing and reshaping tissue overgrowth in the throat to help prevent sleep apnea, regenerating damaged nerves, blood vessels and scars, and even teeth whitening.
Who needs it?
Apparently, the people who will benefit most from laser dentistry are those who are skittish about going to the dentist. In cases of dental laser surgery, there is a reduced need for local anesthesia, bleeding is minimal at best, swelling is also kept to a minimum, and there is usually little to no pain in post-op. But if they really want to reach out to anxious patients, they should consider switching the title of "laser dentistry" to something more soothing, like "space dentistry" or "laser tag dentistry".
Benefits
There are many benefits to laser dentistry. As mentioned above, there is generally no need for anesthesia and overall, most procedures can be done more quickly and precisely with lasers. Procedures involving soft tissue dental lasers usually eliminate the need for stitches and are therefore, less painful. Furthermore, laser dentistry minimizes bleeding because the high energy from the light beam helps to clot exposed blood vessels. Also, bacterial infections are rare because the high-energy beam naturally sterilizes the area being worked on. And on top of all that, wounds heal faster when dental lasers are used. I love technology!
Risks
There are some setbacks when dealing with laser dentistry. For instance, lasers are incapable of doing some fairly routine dental procedures, such as amalgam fillings, onlays, and crowns. However, possibly the biggest setback to dental lasers is that they cost a ridiculous amount of money. Whereas a dental drill costs around $200 to $500 dollars, the cost of a dental laser can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $50,000, which means you pay more. So unless you have a yacht (or several speedboats, or for that matter, a dozen jet skis) laser dentistry may be out of your price range.
THE BOTTOM LINE
It's simple, if you have the funds try laser dentistry because it's not only more effective and less painful, but it also sounds awesome! It's the future of dentistry! Just make sure your dentist has a steady hand when he's using the hard tissue laser, unless you want your jaw sliced in half. Just kidding. I think.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.
Questions and Answers
Article Tags:
anxious
,dental hygienist
,dental surgery
,dental technology
,dentist
,frenectomies
,hard tissue
,laser dentistry
,patients
,sleep apnea
,soft tissue
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