Laser technology can be used in various areas of dentistry, from the treatment of gum disease to gum reshaping to teeth whitening. Lasers deliver energy in the form of light and can be used as a cutting instrument, tissue vaporizer, or heat source.
At Dentistry for Life in Philadelphia laser dentistry employs cutting-edge technology throughout our entire practice to give our patients the most innovative, effective, long-lasting treatments and exceptional oral health.
Laser dentistry is a form of dental treatment that uses intense beams of light energy to conduct various procedures. While laser surgery is used medically for many reasons, many people have never heard of laser dentistry until their dentist presents it as an option. Lasers have been in use in dentistry for some time; adapted for use in clinical dental practice in 1989.
Today, laser dentistry is used to treat several different conditions in the mouth by producing reactions in the tissue in your mouth. This allows dentists to easily reshape or remove tissue. With their easy control, lasers are used to cut or dissolve tissue on contact, remove the soft tissue from the gums, whiten teeth, treat hypersensitivity, and even eliminate tooth decay. At Dentistry for Life, we strive to provide you with the best laser dentistry Philadelphia has to offer.
Laser dentistry is extremely beneficial, in part because many dental procedures become less complicated.
This is because there’s less need for incisions, drilling, and anesthesia. The laser also sterilizes the area it’s treating, further reducing the risk of infection. Because there’s less blood loss and the laser is non-invasive, the entire procedure is less painful and recovery times are much faster. There’s also a much smaller chance of needing stitches in the mouth.
There are many reasons to have laser dentistry. Ideal patients usually want faster recovery times and less pain, reducing the need for pain medications which can make it hard to get back to work or other obligations.
Laser dentistry is also effective at treating periodontal disease. To find out if your specific tooth issue is compatible with laser dentistry, you will need to come in for a consultation and an exam. Call or email to get started today.
The root planing and scaling that comprise gum disease therapy is unpleasant for most patients to undergo, but it’s necessary.
People with a gummy smile often look like they’re all gums and very little teeth. A sophisticated dental laser makes the gum recontouring process precise and accurate so excess gum tissue can be removed, additional tooth enamel can be exposed, and a smile can be made whiter, brighter, and bigger.
There are many potential causes for a gummy smile, from poorly erupted teeth to gum overgrowth to lip size. Sometimes it’s simply genetics that have you sporting a gummy smile. Knowing that your smile can be transformed dramatically and immediately with one procedure is exciting for patients who have been living with a smile that makes them feel self-conscious.
It’s all a matter of proportion with laser gum recontouring, and your top Philadelphia dentist has the eye and experience to make the components of your smile work together in harmony with your other facial features for a natural, beautiful appearance.
There are two main procedures used in laser dentistry: hard tissue (teeth) and soft tissue (gums).
Lasers are used to find cavities that are developing, treating tooth sensitivity by sealing the root, and killing bacteria in a tooth cavity before a filling or other similar procedure.
Lasers can be used to remove soft folds of tissue that may be causing pain from dentures that don’t fit well. They can also reshape gum tissue (and bone) to lengthen the crown, particularly if adding anything to the tooth. Lasers can also treat a thick or tight tongue frenulum (the skin under the front of your tongue) that may impair speech or create issues with breastfeeding.
There are also several other uses in laser dentistry aside from treating hard and soft tissue. This includes the following:
Benign Tumors
Lasers can remove small tumors from inside the mouth without the need for incisions or stitches. This includes tumors on the cheeks, sides of the lips, gums, and palate.
Cold Sores
Cold sores can be a nuisance, and lasers not only alleviate the pain from them, but they also shorten the time it takes for them to heal.
Enhance Vision
Lasers allow the dentist to safely “look” inside your teeth or gum tissue using optical coherence tomography. This can help diagnose an issue such as a developing cavity.
Nerve Growth
Lasers can be used to help repair and regrow damaged nerves, scars, and blood vessels.
Sleep Apnea
Many times, breathing problems while sleeping are caused in part by overgrown tissue in the throat. Lasers can be used to reshape the throat and relieve sleep apnea.
Teeth Whitening
Surprisingly, lasers help with bleaching by speeding up the entire process during teeth whitening treatments.
TMJ
Short of the temporomandibular joint, TMJ causes inflammation and pain in the jaw, which lasers can help reduce.
Patients with dental anxiety sometimes find comfort knowing their dentist is using laser dentistry to conduct their treatment. Lasers are generally quiet, which is a respite from sounds like the dental drill and can make a complicated procedure seem less invasive.
Laser dentistry is also an attractive treatment because it can accompany other dental procedures to create that beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. A gum lift plus Invisalign can shift the bite into the correct position and create a stunning smile makeover. Laser treatment plus porcelain veneers can produce a flawless smile in all ways.
Contact our Dentistry for Life office to schedule your consultation. Find out whether you are a good candidate for laser dentistry or other dental restoration treatments in Philadelphia.
Is laser dentistry painful?
It is much less painful than traditional methods because it is not invasive and doesn’t involve the need for drills and scalpels for incisions. This reduces the amount of anesthesia needed. And because there’s no need for incisions, there’s less risk of infection and pain that might cause.
Can laser dentistry be used on children?
Yes. It can be quite effective for a child that has a fear of needles or pressure in the mouth, as the lasers do not have heat or vibrations, keeping specific dental procedures far more comfortable.
How much does laser dentistry cost?
Because there’s such a large amount of procedures available, the costs truly range from one to the next - although the final costs may actually be less because treatments can be completed more quickly.
Your dental insurance should cover part if not all of the costs. However, if your insurance provider only covers a small portion or you do not have insurance, you will need to cover the costs yourself. To find out exactly how much your specific procedure would be, you will need to come in for a consultation and exam.
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Our office is located at 1601 Walnut Street #1217 in Philadelphia. We offer appointments seven days a week to make dental care convenient for you and your schedule:
