Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry in Bradenton, FL is a new way to treat your oral health,and it’s gained a lot of traction over the last decade. From gum tissue removal to cavities, dentists can use lasers in a variety of ways to keep you healthy. If you’re wondering why you might visit a practice that’s invested in this technology, it can help to get all the facts before you make your final decision.
Why Try Laser Dentistry?
The biggest reason to try laser dentistry is its efficiency. Not only are lasers faster than other types of procedures, including drilling and anesthesia, they’re also less painful and more accurate. This is thanks to the precision of the lasers. Instead of a dentist using a blunt instrument to scrape out decay, they can zero in on the damaged portion and remove it — with less damage to the healthy tissue and teeth that surround it.
While traditional dentistry has proven itself over the past century or so, the reality is that there are errors that can be made. For example, a traditional dentist filling a cavity may inadvertently damage not just the healthy portion of the tooth, but also the nerve below. If the dentist used a laser instead of a drill, the odds of this occurring are far lower.
What Services Can I Get with Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry is a constantly evolving field, with new products, techniques, and theories popping up all over the country. Dentists in Bradenton typically use lasers for the following services.
Gum Pigment Removal
Your gums can start to look darker over time, thanks to anything from smoking medication to infection. If you want to make your gums pink again, lasers can remove the melanin in your gums that causes the dark pigmentation. With the help of concentrated light energy, a dentist will use a laser to pinpoint and remove the cells that produce the melanin.
With gum pigment removal, you can expect the dentist to remove the first layer of your gums, so a new layer can regenerate. That layer is typically lighter, which can make your mouth look healthy again. It usually takes just a week or two for initial healing, though it may take longer to see the full results of the procedure.
Sleep Treatment
You may not think very much about the tissues in your throat when you’re awake, but they can certainly bring you a lot of grief by the time you fall asleep. Whether it’s affecting the quality of your sleep or those around you, a dentist can potentially help you treat the issue. With sleep apnea services, lasers can treat the parts of your throat that are causing you to either snore at night or temporarily stop breathing.
In some cases, this might mean removing certain tissues, including the top of the uvula. In other cases, it may just mean tightening and reducing the size of certain tissues. The exact type of sleep treatment you need comes down to what’s causing you to snore and the severity of the problem. However, most people will need more than treatment to properly address the issue.
Laser Gum Surgery
With laser gum surgery, the dentist can restore the health of your gums by removing bacteria, plaque, and inflamed tissue from your gums. If you have a history of periodontal disease, this can be one of the smartest services you can get as you age. As the laser’s precise light energy cleans out your gums, it stimulates clotting, which can make it easier and faster for your mouth to heal after you head home.
No-Drill Fillings
Most people think of cavities as fairly routine procedures, particularly if they’ve had several when they were younger. However, as you get older, cavities can become a more complex problem. One dentist may look at the decay and tell you that you need a root canal, where another might look at the same cavity and recommend a filling.
The more decay you have, the more likely it is that the dentist will make an error while drilling. With lasers, the short pulses of light can cut straight through the disease portion, giving the dentist more control (and potentially even a better understanding of the decay).
Do Lasers Reduce the Need for Anesthesia?
Yes! Anesthesia has long been a sticking point in the dental industry. Tactics like laughing gas were made into jokes in the media, but many people avoided the dentist for fear of being given the wrong dose. With laser dentistry, you can reduce or even eliminate the need for anesthesia altogether. This way, you don’t have to worry about getting too high of a dose or, worse, too little.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Laser Dentistry?
It ultimately depends on the procedure, but for the most part, laser dentistry recovery times are much better when compared to their traditional counterparts. For example, your mouth might be sensitive for several days after a standard periodontal treatment, whereas with a laser treatment, you may have little to no sensitivity at all.
Because the laser’s pulsing light energy is perfect for pinpointing the problem, there’s far less damage to the surrounding areas. Your mouth is getting a short burst of high (but controlled) power, which drastically reduces the need for ongoing pressure on some of the more sensitive tissues in your body.
Can Lasers Reduce the Odds of an Infection?
Yes. Lasers reduce the damage on your body, making you less susceptible to infections. While most dental services are completed without incident, even when they’re done with traditional tools, there are risks to every procedure.
In the most drastic scenarios, infections after a dental treatment can be deadly — especially for anyone with a compromised or weakened immune system. While lasers can’t eliminate the odds of an infection, they can go a long way to keep you (and the people you love) safe.
Laser Dentistry in Bradenton, FL
Many people find that laser dentistry is the best option for them. Not only is it faster, but it’s also less painful. If you’ve ever avoided the dentist because you don’t want to find out what awaits you in the chair, you’re not alone. With laser dentistry, you can get in and out, and you can have a more pleasant experience from start to finish.
If you’re looking for a team in Bradenton that has invested in more than just your comfort, we can help you understand not just how lasers work, but how we apply them to improve your oral health. Whether you need to get a filling or fix your snoring, lasers can help you get a handle on it all!
