|
Laser Dentistry
 The
Biolase dental laser is probably the most exciting device in dentistry
today. For many years, companies have been working on a dental laser to
replace the dental drill. We have evaluated some of these in the past
and were not impressed. About five years ago Biolase developed a "water
laser" for dental applications. The laser uses a combination of laser
energy and water spray to remove decay and prepare teeth for fillings.
No more whine and vibration of the drill. But that's not the best part.
For most patients, there's no need for anesthesia. That's right. No shot,
no drill. Now you see why we're excited.
But, the laser does not remove old silver fillings. If there's a cavity
around a silver filling or a metal crown, the laser can not be used (the
laser can be used to remove old white fillings). Because of the water
spray of the laser, if your teeth are very sensitive to cold, you may
need to be numbed anyway. The final caveat, and this is not really much
of a problem: teeth prepared with the laser need to have bonded, white
fillings placed. The laser leaves a tooth surface ideally conditioned
for a bonded filling, but not well suited for a silver filling. Since
silver fillings are used less and less today and most patients prefer
the look of white fillings anyway, this is not much of an issue.
Another, minor use for the laser is in treating canker sores. A few second's
exposure to the laser light at a very low power takes away all the pain
of a canker sore. Canker sores aren't a serious health problem, but they
are pretty uncomfortable. For the 5-7 days you have them, eating can be
a problem.
The laser can also be used to treat sensitive areas of teeth around the
gum line. Many people have small notches in their teeth at the gum line
that are uncomfortably sensitive to touch or to cold. It's not the whole
tooth, but a specific spot. These areas respond well to laser desensitization
treatments.
Even though the laser is a very expensive piece of equipment, there is
not additional cost for its use. We made the investment because we feel
it makes for a better dental experience for our patients. We are always
looking for ways to make dental treatment easier, and if not actually
enjoyable, at least less uncomfortable.
back to index
|
