With many new advances in technology, the healthcare industry has benefited greatly. From nanotechnology for effective drug delivery to robotics used in the surgical theater, the field is ever-changing. Now we even have laser dentistry. If laser dentistry is a new concept to you, you may want to read on to see whether it could be a viable option.
What is Laser Dentistry?
A laser is basically an extremely focused and intense light beam, and when used in dentistry, it can remove or change tissue in tiny amounts. There are two types of laser used in dentistry, known as soft tissue and hard tissue lasers. By using different types of laser, dentists are able to adjust the wavelength to make it suitable for cutting into different types of tissue found in the mouth. The hard tissue laser is predominantly used on teeth and the soft tissue laser on your gums. This particular laser also seals any exposed blood vessels at the same time as reaching the affected area, which contributes to reduced blood loss.
What Can Laser Dentistry Treat?
Dentists are beginning to use lasers to either re-shape gums, remove overgrown tissue or for teeth whitening. There are many other issues that laser dentistry can treat, such as:
- Removing benign oral tumors
- Lengthening crowns
- Exposing wisdom teeth
- Treating gum disease
- Cold sore pain treatment
- Treating restricted tongue movement
- Treating root canal infections
- Removing gum inflammation
- Biopsies
- Removing throat tissue that is causing sleep apnea
- Regenerating damaged nerves
What are the Benefits of Laser Dentistry?
There are many benefits to opting for laser dentistry over the traditional route of drills and anesthetics, and they include the following:
- It is more suitable for children or those who suffer from anxiety when visiting the dentist
- It reduces discomfort and therefore also reduces the healing time
- Laser dentistry doesn’t always require the use of anesthesia
- The chance of infection is reduced since the laser sterilizes the gums
- Blood loss is also reduced
What Can You Expect When You Opt for Laser Dentistry?
Whatever procedure you have done, your experience at the dentist will be much like a regular visit. You will still sit in a dentist’s chair with your mouth propped open, but you won’t experience any uncomfortable vibrations or other feelings associated with traditional dentist tools. The procedure will often be easier and shorter, and your healing time afterward will be greatly reduced. You will usually need to follow similar after-care instructions too, but as mentioned, the risk of infection with laser dentistry is minimal.
If you are ready to search for laser dentistry MN – Wayzata Dental is currently the only clinic able to offer laser dentistry in Minneapolis. Click the link to see to schedule an appointment and see what they can do for you.
Choosing to undergo laser dental treatment can be a great choice for a number of reasons. Before you book in, make sure your dentist has the relevant training and certification to work with lasers. Also, note that you will need to wear special sunglasses to protect your eyes from the laser beam.
