What Are the Advantages and Downsides of Laser Dentistry?
The use of lasers in dentistry is ongoing since the 90s, although a small percentage of dentists currently utilize lasers. Laser dentistry hasn’t received the seal of acceptance from the American Dental Association, although the FDA has approved it for treatment in dental procedures. The ADA Seal assures dentists that lasers or laser devices meet the standards of safety and efficacy set aside by the August body. However, the ADA is cautiously treading its path on the future of laser technology.
What Are Dental Lasers Beneficial for?
Dentists are currently using a dental laser to treat tooth decay by removing pollution within a tooth and preparing the surrounding enamel to receive a filling. Dental lasers also help cure or harden the filling. However, when treating deep decay, lasers are used in conjunction with dental drills confirming why many dentists are not using dental lasers for tooth decay removal because dentists still need to rely on dental drills in many cases and cannot trust the laser to accomplish the treatment for them.
Laser teeth whitening is also possible because of the increasing concerns over tooth desiccation during the teeth whitening procedure which relies on hydrogen peroxide for the whitening. Some dentists use light to accelerate the whitening process, but the technique does not use a laser.
Dental laser treatment is beneficial to control gum disease to hinder harmful bacteria. Lasers also help in gum contouring to deliver an aesthetically pleasing configuration. In reality, reshaping has become a relatively standard procedure using lasers among dentists.
Besides, the above cold lasers are helping dentists to control tooth sensitivity, inflammation, and temporomandibular joint pain.
How do Lasers Function in Dentistry?
Lasers function by delivering energy as light. Whether utilized for operational or dental plans, lasers work as a cutting device or tissue vaporizer it comes into contact with. In addition, dentists can use low-energy settings for other purposes.
Solea laser dentistry provides patients with a needle-free and sound-free dental experience to complete any procedure they need in one visit. Solea dental laser also takes the pain out of dental visits. It is why more patients are now inquiring about laser dentistry to get over dental phobia and the scary noises of the dental drill.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Compared to conventional dental procedures using the dental drill lasers cause less pain in some treatments reducing the need for anesthesia. Dental lasers are beneficial for patients with dental anxiety and uncomfortable with the use of dental drills. In addition, laser dentistry minimizes bleeding and swelling when performing soft tissue procedures leaving the patient free to continue with their regular activities soon after their dental appointment.
Downsides Of Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry is not beneficial for use on teeth with silver amalgam fillings. In addition, dental procedures commonly performed do not benefit from laser dentistry because dental drills are more effective than lasers in some treatments. For example, using a laser to treat cavities between teeth, working around old fillings, preparing teeth for restorations like a dental crown or a dental bridge are challenging with lasers.
Dentists using a laser can start a procedure. Still, they may have to complete it using a dental drill because lasers are not beneficial in situations where dentists need to shape a filling, polish a completed filling or adjust bites. In addition, despite popular belief, lasers do not entirely eliminate the need for anesthesia, and some procedures may require local anesthesia or sedation.
Laser dentistry in Wall Township requires significant investments in equipment and learning by dentists, making laser dentistry treatments more expensive than traditional dental treatments. Even if you possess dental insurance, your provider may merely consider the cost of the dental treatment without looking at whether the dentist used lasers or conventional instruments to provide the treatment. Therefore you must prepare yourself financially ahead of time if you intend to undergo laser dentistry treatments for any dental health requirement.
Although the ADA hasn’t approved laser dentistry for dental procedures, they are optimistic about its future. In time laser dentistry may well become the standard of a cure for dental procedures of various types because of the ease at which dentists work with laser cutting time and, in many cases, even allowing patients to recover faster from treatments performed with the latest laser dentistry equipment.