LASER
DENTISTRY............
What
is Laser Dentistry?
The latest revolution
in dentistry is the dental laser.Nearly all cosmetic dentists
utilize the advanced technology of dental lasers to perform
leading-edge dentistry for their patients.
Dental lasers allow
cosmetic dentists to perform special dental functions without
changing or damaging the surrounding tissues of your mouth.
By delivering energy in the form of a concentrated light
beam, the dental laser is able to easily and smoothly perform
specific functions in the tight crevices of your mouth.
Lasers
in Dentistry?
When thinking of
lasers, many of us picture a science fiction movie
character wielding a laser weapon capable of melting or
destroying property (or people, or even aliens) at great
distances. While certain laser technology can indeed cause
this type of damage, we must remember that they are specifically
engineered for that purpose. Most lasers, including those
used in dentistry, are engineered and designed to perform
special functions without changing or damaging the surrounding
tissues or materials. Think, instead, of the lasers used
around us everyday, such as those found in the barcode scanners
at the grocery store or those that make CD music possible.
Lasers deliver energy in the form of light. Depending on
the intended result, this energy travels at different wavelengths
and is absorbed by a "target." In dentistry, these
targets can be enamel, decay, gum tissue, or whitening enhancers.
Each one absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting
other wavelengths. No measurable effect is seen beyond the
intended target site. Lasers are very specific in regard
to the wavelength produced. This means that there must be
a different laser for each type of procedure that you want
to complete. There is little or no sound associated with
laser treatment, a pleasant treat for the dental patient
who has experienced the whine of the dental drill. As technology
advances, we hope to see lasers which can be used for several
related treatments combined into one convenient machine.
There are
currently four areas of dental care that are enjoying the
benefits of laser technology:
- Cavity removal
can be accomplished with two currently available (and
FDA approved) laser machines. Both have the ability to remove
decay within a tooth, and prepare the surrounding enamel
for bonded fillings. The need for anesthesia is greatly
reduced or eliminated over the traditional methods.
Laser energy dramatically reduces the bacteria found in
dental decay, and has been demonstrated to enhance the tooth's
ability to "heal" in situations where "deep
cavities" had existed. There are, however, several
limitations to laser decay removal including the inability
to adequately remove silver fillings, onlays, and crowns.
- Curing, or hardening
bonding materials is another area where lasers
have become important. These lasers drastically reduce the
time it takes to finish a filling, and create what some
researchers have shown to be a stronger restoration.
- Whitening teeth
can be accomplished with special solutions that are
applied to the tooth surface in the dental office and activated
by laser
energy. Color changes of several shades is possible in a
very short time. When combined with at-home tray based whitening
systems, dramatic changes can be seen in even the most difficult
cases.
- Periodontal, or
gum related care is the fourth area benefiting from
laser technology. Lasers are currently used for recontouring
or reshaping gums (often described as "plastic surgery
for the smile"), removing extra or diseased gum tissue
associated with the use of certain medications or periodontal
disease, and removing the bacteria in periodontal pockets
to promote healing. Healing time and post operative discomfort
can be significantly reduced over the traditional surgical
methods.
Dental lasers have been shown to be safe and effective for
treating both children and adults. Very specific equipment
and training are required to incorporate this technology
into the dental office, and many dentists are becoming involved
in providing laser care. Research with the technology and
design enhancements with the machines themselves are proceeding
at a staggering pace. We look to the future with great excitement
as the use of laser energy in dentistry expands to include
many more procedures.
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Microabrasion:
High technology Decay Removal
Another technique
for removing decay while reducing the need for anesthesia
is called microabrasion. While there are a number of different
machines available to dentists, they all work on the same
principle, and can greatly enhance a patient's dental care
experience.
Microabrasion
is a procedure involving a fine stream of particles aimed
at the decayed portion of a tooth. These particles are often
silica, aluminum oxide, or even baking soda based. They
are propelled toward the tooth by air or bottled inert gasses
through a handpiece, and remove small particles of decay
as they strike the tooth's surface. These particles are
then "vacuumed" away through the use of the suction
system as with the traditional methods. A "rubber dam"
technique is often used when this system is used, and involves
using a thin latex sheet to isolate the tooth from the patient's
lips and tongue. Microabrasion is also frequently used to
prepare a surface for bonding or sealants.
While frequently
described as creating a "dusty" taste, many patients
enjoy the absence of sound associated with this technique.
It is virtually silent as it removes areas of decay. There
are, however, limitations in its use including the inability
to remove any metallic restorations like silver fillings,
onlays, or crowns.
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The
following are the different types of Laser Dental procedures
that are available:
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LASER ENDODONTICS
What
is Endodontics?
Endodontics is the
area of dentistry dealing with the prevention, diagnosis,
and treatment of disorders of the dental pulp.
Endodontic therapy (root canal) is a treatment modality
that will save diseased or injured teeth. The alternative
to endodontics is extraction. Typically, a severely decayed
tooth or a tooth with a large filling will begin to ache.
READ
MORE............
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LASER PERIODONTICS
What is Periodontics?
Periodontics is that
specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and
surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and
the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of
these structures and tissues. READ
MORE............
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LASER PEDODONTICS
What
is Pedodontics?
Pedodontics or Pediatric
Dentistry refers to a branch of dentistry that specializes
in dental care for children under the age of 16. Pediatric
dentists require an extra two to three years of dental training
that prepare them in meeting the unique dental needs of
infant, children, and adolescent dental care. This also
includes those with special health care needs.
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LASER SOFT TISSUE APPLICATIONS 1
SOFT TISSUE
PROCEDURES INCLUDING PULPAL TISSUES
• Excisional and incisional biopsies
• Exposure of unerupted teeth
• Fibroma removal - A benign tumor
that consists of fibrous tissue.
• Flap preparation – incision of soft
tissue to prepare a flap and expose the bone
READ MORE............
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LASER SOFT TISSUE APPLICATIONS 2
• Implant recovery
• Incision and drainage of abscesses
• Laser soft tissue curettage of the post-extraction tooth
sockets and the periapical are during apical surgery
• Leukoplakia - refer below
• Operculectomy
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MORE............
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LASER SURGERY
Laser surgery for
soft tissue management and tooth whitening to enable cosmetic
dentists tp provice the superior dental care.
For soft tissue and
tooth whitening procedures:
- Gingivectomy Gingivoplasty
- Gingival troughing
- Gingival curettage
- Soft tissue crown
lengthening
- Frenectomy
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MORE............
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