A No-Frills (and No-Drills) Rundown of Laser Dentistry

Lasers aren’t just for blasting stormtroopers. With advanced technologies, lasers work wonders in healthcare — including at your dentist’s office. 

So, what are the benefits of laser dentistry, and what are the drawbacks? We’ll guide you through the basics. You might find yourself seeking dental laser treatment at your next appointment.

[Related: 3 Tips To Track, Reschedule and Cancel Your Dentist Appointment With Finesse]

What Is Laser Dentistry?

Dental laser treatment involves using clinical lasers to perform a variety of oral and dental procedures. In a dental laser, super-concentrated light energy acts as a substitute for scalpels and drills. 

A laser system may be for soft tissue or hard tissue. Soft tissue lasers treat the gums, cheeks, palate and tongue, while hard tissue lasers treat teeth and bone. Both types of dental lasers can whiten your gums and teeth.

For the curious, “laser” stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” The word’s become so ingrained in our vocabulary that it’s easy to forget it’s an acronym.

Note. If you’d like to learn more about laser dental treatment, dental lasers and how they work, Healthline has a smart summary.

[Related: Gum Bleaching, Whitening and Lightening: What You Need To Know]

The Pros and Cons of Laser Dentistry

Here’s what you need to know about a laser used in dentistry. You can better determine whether its advantages outweigh its disadvantages in your unique situation.

Pros of Dental Laser Treatment

Using a laser on teeth and gums offers distinct benefits over using drills and scalpels.

Less Anxiety and Pain

When the whir of a drill makes you anxious, laser dentistry is a godsend. Dental lasers are quiet, and that can ease stress in any patient — adults and children alike. 

You’re also far less likely to feel discomfort during treatment. You generally don’t need anesthesia. 

But does laser dentistry hurt? The consensus is that it’s mostly painless. Your dentist can administer anesthesia if necessary, and you may take over-the-counter medication for soreness after your procedure. 

[Related: Get Over the Hurdles That Keep You From Seeing Your Dentist]

Faster Healing

Laser treatments are much less invasive than traditional treatments, so stitches and scalpel incisions are out of the picture. In turn, that noninvasiveness decreases your risk of bacterial infection.

Faster healing is especially apt in the treatment of soft tissues, like a gingivectomy for gum disease and pocket reduction surgery. Laser dentistry for cavities is swifter and more sterile than drills for fillings, which also leads to shorter recovery times.

[Related: How To Deal With Minor and Major Tooth Pain]

Reduced Bleeding and Swelling

Dental lasers cauterize blood vessels as they cut, immediately decreasing bleeding. You also experience less swelling before and after treatment because your dentist doesn’t make scalpel incisions during your procedure. 

That mechanism makes dental laser treatment an excellent choice for periodontal surgery, gum biopsy and other soft tissue surgery. Vaporizing mouth sores (like cold sores) is yet another low-swelling, low-bleeding use for dental lasers.

[Related: How To Treat a Swollen Gum Around One Tooth]

Greater Accuracy

A dental laser light is extremely effective at targeting areas with pinpoint precision. Its concentrated power helps your dentist better control where they cut, disinfect and shape gum tissue and bone. 

This accuracy also lets your dentist meticulously disinfect around root canals and dental implants. Additionally, laser dental cleaning and gum whitening procedures are more focused and effective.

[Related: Stop Suffering From Recurring Swollen Gums]

Cons of Dental Laser Treatment

Like all medical tools, laser dentistry has a couple disadvantages.

Treatment Limitations

Although the uses of laser in dentistry are many and varied, your dentist can’t opt for one under a few conditions:

• Advanced tooth decay 
• Teeth with preexisting fillings
• Interdental cavities (cavities between teeth)
• Damaged bridge or crown removal

These circumstances still need standard treatments, although a trusted clinical dental practice always ensures you’re as comfortable as possible.

Note. Are you looking for that trusted dental practice? Check out our testimonials.

[Related: The Dental Implant Process, Step by Step]

Higher Expense

The plain fact is that laser dentistry is pricier than traditional dentistry. 

A dental drill is cheaper than a state-of-the-art dental laser — a single laser can cost $100,000. Part of that cost contributes to your service payment. 

Note. Cascadia Dental offers payment options for our services, including laser dental treatments. Your dental insurance may cover laser treatment, too (ask your provider).

[Related: How Much Is a Root Canal?]

Find Expert Laser Dentistry at Cascadia Dental

We’re pleased to offer an array of laser treatments at Cascadia Dental Specialists. 

Our laser technology of choice is the DEKA CO2 laser. This innovative system gives our highly trained doctors astounding accuracy and versatility in your dental procedures.

Contact us to ask about our laser treatment services, or book an appointment today.

Featured image via Freepik