What is laser dentistry?
Laser dentistry is the use of lasers to treat a number of different dental conditions. It became commercially used in clinical dental practice for procedures involving tooth tissue in 1989. Laser dentistry potentially offers a more comfortable treatment option for a number of dental procedures involving hard or soft tissue compared to drills and other non-laser tools.
Laser dentistry is used in a variety of procedures, including:
- treating hypersensitivity
- treating tooth decay
- treating gum disease
- whitening teeth
How are laser treatments used in Westwood Family Dental?
• Cavity detection. Lasers can detect cavities early by finding evidence of tooth decay.
• Tooth preparations and dental fillings. Local anesthesia and traditional drills are often not needed with laser treatments. Lasers can kill bacteria in a cavity, which can aid in the long-term health of a tooth.
• Treating tooth sensitivity. Teeth that have sensitivity to hot and cold can be treated with dental lasers that seal tubules on the tooth’s root.
• Treating a “gummy smile.” Lasers are used to reshape gum tissue associated with “gummy smile,” in which the gums’ length covers much of the tooth.
• Crown lengthening: This procedure reshapes both gum tissue and bone for healthier tooth structure, which helps with placing restorations on the teeth.
• Treating tongue frenulum attachment. Those with a thick or tight frenulum (the fold of skin under the front part of tongue that anchors to the mouth floor) may benefit from a laser frenectomy. This treatment helps children whose restricted frenulum causes them to be tongue-tied, have difficulty breastfeeding, or have a speech impediment.
• Removing soft tissue folds. Lasers can remove soft tissue folds from ill-fitting dentures without pain or sutures.
• TMJ (temporomandibular joint) treatment. Lasers can help reduce pain and inflammation in the joint.
• Treating cold sores. Lasers can minimize healing time and reduce pain from cold sores.
• Teeth whitening. Lasers speed up the bleaching process during teeth-whitening sessions.
To learn more about several Laser Dentistry treatment offered at our office, schedule a consultation by calling Westwood Family Dental, today at (310) 441-8888.