Gain Without the Pain: The Many Benefits of Laser Dentistry

For some Americans, a visit to the dentist means dealing with discomfort in one way or the other. For some, the mere sound of the dental drill stirs anxiety. For others, it’s the pain and physical discomfort that concerns them.

You seem to be trapped in this never-ending cycle of either waiting for the Novocaine to kick in to numb you during the procedure or waiting for it to wear off once you leave the dentist’s office. Seriously, isn’t there a better way? Think laser dentistry.

Our own Dr. Marcano is specially trained in laser dentistry using the Waterlase™ by Biolase®. He shares his thoughts on the plethora of benefits of laser dentistry, and how in this case, there’s plenty of gain without the pain. 

What is laser dentistry?

Let’s begin unpacking this topic with a quick primer on laser dentistry. You are probably familiar with the use of lasers in medicine, particularly as a cutting tool for surgery. Lasers used in dentistry work on the same principle, but they are more than a surgical tool.

With laser dentistry, specially trained dentists use a hand-held laser device, which emits focused light energy that can be used on both soft and hard tissue. Once the light comes in contact with the tissue, it can re-shape it or remove it altogether. But with laser dentistry, that’s just the beginning. 

Versatile dental tool

Lasers have been used in dentistry for decades. Initially, low-powered lasers were used on gums and other soft tissue. But in 1997, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lasers for tooth decay treatment, it was a real game-changer. Today the FDA has approved more than 20 uses of lasers in dentistry.   

Dr. Marcano and the dental professionals use the Waterlase™ system as their go-to laser dentistry tool for procedures such as treating cavities, tooth sensitivity, gum contouring, crown lengthening, TMJ, cold sores, oral abscesses, benign tumors, and even obstructive sleep apnea. It’s not only effective, but patients with dental anxiety don’t have to worry about that annoying high-pitched sound of the dental drill.

Treats gum disease with less risk of infection

Perhaps the biggest plus for laser dentistry is in the treatment of gum disease. Gum disease is a fairly common progressive condition that can result in tooth loss in its later stages. Unfortunately, about 64.7 million Americans suffer from the advanced stage called periodontitis.

Since dental lasers are a minimally invasive tool, not only can dentists use dental lasers to treat gum disease, but they expose their patients to fewer toxins as well. Using a dental laser instead of traditional scaling and root planing tools results in less bleeding and reduces a patient’s risk of developing an infection.

Reduces inflammation and discomfort

Similarly, and perhaps the most meaningful benefit for most patients is that when dentists use lasers, they can complete procedures with less inflammation, which minimizes discomfort and pain.

When we perform procedures using the Waterlase™ system, we can tap into the power of laser energy while combining air and water throughout the procedure. As a result, your teeth and your gums are not only hydrated, but also protected from the heat of the laser, providing a more comfortable, virtually painless experience.

If you need dental work and what to learn if laser dentistry is right for you, book a consultation at Orlando Center for Cosmetic Dentistry by clicking the online booking tool or calling the office today at 407-855-1471.