Do Laser Treatments Damage Teeth?

Treatments of any kind, whether medical or dental, are always associated with some risks. However, the risk of damage to the teeth from laser dentistry is relatively inconsequential so long as you find a qualified professional to receive laser treatments for dental issues. So long as the professional you are dealing with has received education from dental schools and the Academy of laser dentistry, you can proceed with the treatment you need without fear.

Laser Dentistry Explained

The use of lasers to treat different dental conditions is called laser dentistry. Laser dentistry became commercially available in 1989 when it was used in clinical dental practice for procedures involving problems with the teeth.

More comfortable treatment options are available for many dental processes, from laser dentistry for hard and soft tissue to nonlaser tools like the dental drill. Light amplification stimulated emission of radiation is the acronym for laser. The laser device creates a narrow and focused beam of light energy that produces a reaction when it comes into contact with tissue enabling it to remove or shape it.

Laser Treatment Process

The laser treatment process helps in various procedures such as treating hypersensitivity, tooth decay, gingivitis, and teeth whitening. In addition, lasers make dental treatments cost-effective, efficient, and comfortable. Approval for laser dentistry as a treatment option for several dental conditions is granted by the FDA; although the ADA is yet to do so, they are hopeful of the potential in this field.

Two main types of dental procedures are used for laser dentistry. They are hard tissue and soft tissue procedures. The standard hard tissue procedures are:

• Cavity Detection:Detecting cavities by finding evidence of tooth decay is comfortable with lasers.
• Preparing Teeth & Dental Fillings:Lasers eliminate the need for anesthesia and dental drills when preparing teeth for dental fillings because the lasers can kill bacteria in the cavity helping in the long-term health of the tooth.
• Treating Tooth Sensitivity:Teeth sensitive to temperatures are regaled with dental lasers to seal the tubules on the tooth’s root.

Familiar soft tissue processes include:

• Treating Gummy Smiles:Lasers help reshape gum tissue associated with a gummy smile when the length of the gums covers most of the tooth.
• Crown Lengthening: the crown lengthening process reshapes gum tissue and bone for healthier tooth structure helping place restorations on teeth.
• Tongue Frenulum Attachment:Laser frenectomy helps people with a tight frenulum, especially children who have restricted frenulum, causing them to be tongue-tied or have difficulties breastfeeding and speech impediments.
• Soft Tissue Folds Removal: Removal of soft tissue folds from ill-fitting dentures painlessly and without sutures is possible with lasers.

Other laser processes include considering tissues to enable dentists to see inside a tooth or gum tissue safely. Lasers also help remove benign tumors and treat obstructive sleep apnea and TMJ disorders. In addition, lasers can help speed the bleaching process of teeth whitening treatments besides minimizing the healing time and reducing pain when treating old sores.

Laser treatments vary in price depending on the procedure patients need and the laser equipment. However, compared to nonlaser treatments, lasers may be inexpensive because the treatments are completed in fewer sessions. Furthermore, dental insurers define reimbursement prices of laser treatments on the therapy itself and not the method.

Precautions after Laser Treatment

Patients must understand laser treatments are not beneficial on teeth with metal amalgam fillings and must inform laser treatment in Ocoee, FL, about the restorations in their mouths before opting for laser treatment.

The dental office in Ocoee intimates patients that some laser dentistry procedures may require anesthesia and drills to complete fillings and polishing it.

If you seek laser treatments, do not expect all procedures to proceed with lasers because lasers cannot be used on pre-existing surrounding tissue or elements involving the tooth and gums. In addition, the risk of gum injury exists with laser treatments.

If you seek laser treatments because they are cost-efficient and comfortable, you help yourself by understanding the precautions beforehand to ensure you prepare yourself for the procedures.

When seeking laser treatments, it is incredibly essential for you to look for a qualified dentist like Dr. Freddy Mezquia, who has received appropriate training from the ALD. If you are apprehensive about the professionals around you, inquire with your dental insurers for recommendations from friends and family who may have had positive experiences with laser dentistry.

You can also browse websites looking for dentists providing laser treatments. However, if you intend to shift over to laser dentistry instead of traditional dentistry, please consider scheduling an appointment with Smiles of Ocoee to comprehensively understand laser dentistry.