When you hear the word “laser,” your first thought may be of ray guns in sci-fi flicks. However, in the real world lasers have many practical uses, including treatments and procedures in modern dentistry. Here are a few of the dental procedures lasers can complete and the pros and cons of laser dentistry.
Laser Dentistry Procedures
Two types of lasers are used in dentistry: soft tissue lasers to make incisions in the gums and hard tissue lasers to cut through teeth and bone. Your dentist uses lasers for many purposes, including:
- Curing (hardening) dental fillings and dental cement
- Speeding a tooth whitening procedure by activating the bleaching solution
- Treating painful cold sores
- Lengthening the tooth crown by exposing healthy tooth structure beneath gums
- Removing tooth decay
- Periodontal treatment through gum reshaping and reduction of oral bacteria
Pros Of Laser Dentistry
There are several benefits to using lasers in dentistry including:
- Reduced bleeding and swelling
- More painless procedures
- Reduced risk for bacterial infection
- Greater precision
- Quicker healing time
Cons Of Laser Dentistry
Though lasers have many benefits in dentistry, there are some procedures lasers cannot perform. Dental lasers:
- Cannot be used on teeth that already have a filling
- Cannot fill cavities between teeth, around fillings, or large areas of decay
- Cannot remove defective crowns or bridges