Laser Dentistry: Moving Into the Future

The dentist's office is one of many areas where technology is improving the way professionals in heath care treat their patients. Laser dentistry is still very much a niche industry, but it is one growing at an exponential pace. Because there has often been a certain fear and dislike of the dentist among the population, offices around the country are always looking for ways to make painful procedures less so. With this new technology, much of the pain and discomfort associated with traditional methods (such as the drill) is eliminated. Here are some of the ways these applications are being used.

Types

Laser dentistry makes use of several different types of lasers in practice. Starting with carbon dioxide, an invisible beam can be created. From there, helium and neon can be used to create a red beam, which gives the dentist the ability to see where the beam is at all times. These beams are used to treat the surface of the gum, as they are not designed to penetrate far into the skin. Argon is used in other applications, such as the curing of dental cement. Of course, as the technology progresses, offices around the country are finding more types and more uses for each type.

Applications

Laser dentistry can be used in a variety of situations. Some offices may only use the technology for a couple of procedures, while others are finding ways to introduce it into much of what they do. They have been used to find cavities that would otherwise have been invisible, lessen the patient's sensitivity to temperature, shape the gums, and even cure TMJ in some patients. One of the most popular applications has been to use the technology in lieu of the dental drill, something that should come as good news to anyone who fears even the sound of that drill.

Advantages

While new technology is always exciting, it is pointless if it doesn't offer clear advantages over the old methods of performing dental work. As it happens, laser dentistry offers many advantages over older methods. Because they can be so intensely focused, their use can avoid some of the collateral tissue damage that is sometimes a problem with traditional dental methods. It also minimizes bleeding much of the time, which reduces the chances for infection. Along the same lines, it kills bacteria, which can also help when it comes to post-operative complications.