What is Laser Dentistry?
In the past, the most common method for soft tissue treatments was surgery, but not with soft tissue laser dentistry we can provide less invasive care with greater benefits to your oral health. Lasers are small beams of intensely focused light that allow for precise control during soft tissue treatment and are able to absorb water and hemoglobin, making them ideal tools for soft tissue problems.
In dentistry, there are two types of lasers used: one for hard tissue such as enamel and tooth structures, and soft tissue, such as for gums. Soft tissue dental lasers enable dentists to:
- Treat both healthy and diseased tissues
- Perform minimally invasive surgical procedures
- Have greater and more precise control
Soft Tissue Laser Treatments & Applications
Laser dentistry for soft tissue treatment offers several applications:
- Periodontal procedures: lasers allow for easier access to deeper calculus deposits and target only damaged tissue.
- Soft tissue surgery: rather than a scalpel, using a laser decreases postoperative pain.
- Implants: soft-tissue modification around dental implants is done more quickly as it minimizes the trauma from the procedure.
- Aphthous ulcers: also known as canker sores, a laser can be used to heal them without chemicals or topical treatments.
- Gum Contouring: instead of a scalpel used to reshape your gums, a laser can gently shape them to create a new gum line that is more immediate.
Benefits to Patients
There are many benefits of laser dentistry for soft tissue beyond it being a versatile tool that gives dentists greater precision in the operations and treatments:
- Better targeting diseased areas of the tissue and mouth
- Reduced swelling
- Reduced pain
- Reduced bleeding
- Immediately seals blood vessels and nerve endings
- Shorter recovery time
- Better healing
- Lasers won’t harm hard dental tissue
- Safe for full-metal crowns, gold alloy, and amalgam restorations
- Less risk of injuring dental pulp
