For years, lasers have revolutionised the medical industry and now laser dentistry procedures are taking off. However, anytime new technologies are introduced, people naturally will have questions. Here is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).
What is a laser?
Lasers are beams of light that are a single wavelength and colour. Laser is an acronym derived from “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.”
How does it differ from regular sunlight?
White light is made up of light with many wavelengths corresponding to the visible spectrum comprising the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). Laser light consists of beams of a single colour and hence a single wavelength of light, concentrated to a high energy level, which can penetrate living tissue.
A laser can create a very precise cut into tissue whether it be gum, tooth or bone. The cut is precise. When using a user to create an incision into the gum, the cut is sterile with high energy which obliterates bacteria in the area. The effect is reduced pain, discomfort, inflammation, swelling and increased speed in healing. in summary, lasers are minimally invasive and can result in less tissue removal, less bleeding and less discomfort for patients after surgery.
There are a variety of laser types using a different material to create a laser beam. Each laser beam has specific and distinct use.
How are lasers used in dentistry?
Dental laser usage typically falls into three categories:
- Disease diagnosis e.g. diagnosis and removal of tooth decay
- Soft tissue procedures of the gums, lips and tongue e.g. the removal of gum tissue
- Hard tissue procedures of the bone or tooth enamel and dentine with certain types of lasers
Lasers can be used in a range of treatments including:
- treatment of gum disease
- regeneration of bone
- fraenectomy
- oporculectomy – treatment of periocornitis ( infection if gum flap over wisdom tooth )
- pulpectomy ( disinfection of pulp chamber and aid in root canal treatment )
- crown lengthening ( to increase amount of gum visible )
- reverse vestibuloplasty ( to reduce amount of gum visible )
- treatment of apthious ulcer
- biopsy
- caries removal in teeth
Are they safe?
Absolutely! Before trial in the field of dentistry, lasers have been used for years in the medical field with research evidence and the FDA approving both their safety and efficacy.
There are safety protocols that need to be followed such as :
- wearing laser glasses that will block the specific laser light from damaging eyes and ensuring no the person not wearing these glasses enters the room during laser treatment
- not be used near inflammable gas
Dental lasers provide a very useful, and safe technology and tool for dental treatments.
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