For decades, lasers have been employed for medical procedures due to their minimal invasiveness and high precision. One field in which they’re becoming increasingly prominent is oral care. Laser dentistry is a dental field which uses lasers to alter or remove tissue for a broad range of procedures. Learn more about this innovative form of oral treatment and its benefits below.

A Beginner’s Guide to Laser Dentistry

What Can Laser Dentistry Do?

Lasers are used a number of dental applications, including cosmetic and restorative dentistry. They are especially useful for treating gum conditions. For example, when removing infected tissue lining to treat periodontal disease, their precision severely reduces the amount of excess tissue extracted. Lasers are also useful for removing tooth decay, bacteria found in the root canal, lesions, and samples of tissue to be used for biopsies. Dentists can also use lasers to activate peroxide bleaching solutions for optimal teeth whitening. 

How Does It Work?

Laser dentistry is typically performed using one of two types of lasers: hard and soft tissue lasers. Hard tissue lasers can cut into teeth; this type of laser can eradicate tooth decay, which is useful for preparing teeth for fillings. Soft tissue lasers are suited for cutting into tissues such as the gums. One type of soft tissue laser is the diode laser, which emits a continuous beam of light. This allows dentists to cut into soft tissue while simultaneously sealing any exposed blood vessels.

What Are the Benefits?

Since it seals blood vessels as it cuts, laser dentistry can minimize bleeding. Recovery times are therefore often shorter compared to traditional scalpel procedures, which leave open wounds that bleed and may require stitches. Patients are less likely to experience infections, and discomfort tends to be reduced as well. Due to the laser’s extreme precision, more healthy tissue can be preserved. Lasers may be a friendlier alternative for any patients who experience dental anxiety and are averse to drilling.

If you’re due for a dental procedure and would like to see if laser dentistry is right for you, contact The Montana Center for Laser Dentistry. Offering laser procedures for both restorative and cosmetic treatments, this practice has two convenient locations in Whitefish and Kalispell, MT, and provides a welcoming, stress-free environment at both offices. Explore their services online. Call (406) 862-1010 to reach their Whitefish location, or (406) 730-1010 for the Kalispell facility.