Newtown Dentistry maintains a strong commitment to innovation. This means striving to make our patients comfortable, relaxed, and confident in their care. We utilize the latest state-of-the-art dental technologies and services, including CO2 LightScalpel laser dentistry.
This multifaceted dental device has the capability to complete a number of dental procedures, such as a frenectomy, gingivectomy, tongue-tie release, and lip-tie release. The use of a laser is both safe and beneficial for patients, allowing for less discomfort and faster recovery times.
What Is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry is the use of lasers in treating dental conditions. The use of lasers in dentistry dates back to 1960 but has really taken off in the last 20 years. Recent decades have seen a lot of research and studies of the safe and effective use of lasers in dental procedures.
The alternative to lasers is the use of more traditional tools, like drills. A laser is a narrow, focused beam of energy that reacts with tissue on contact. Like a drill or other standard tool, the laser can cut, shape, or remove tissue but does so in a gentler way.
What Can Lasers Treat?
Laser dentistry tools are useful for a variety of treatments, including soft-tissue procedures:
Lasers are often used for orthodontic and aesthetic procedures. They can remove or reshape gum tissue for aesthetic purposes or to help fit dentures. A laser can be used to remove benign tumors in the mouth as well.
Lasers are not reserved only for soft-tissue procedures. Dentists can also utilize a laser on hard tissue. They are used to detect cavities and to prepare teeth for fillings. They can also be used to treat tooth sensitivity by sealing root tubules.
How Do Dental Laser Treatments Work?
Laser dental treatments are minimally invasive procedures using a specially designed dental laser system. The tool we use at Newtown is a LightScalpel CO2 laser. The wavelength of this kind of laser is easily absorbed by water and hemoglobin in blood, making it ideal for soft-tissue procedures.
Soft-tissue laser treatments work by producing light energy that is absorbed by soft tissues surrounding the teeth and gums. The laser cuts through soft tissue gently and with minimal damage to nearby tissue. It seals nerves and blood vessels as it goes, so there is less pain and bleeding.
Laser dentistry for cavities involves preparing the tooth for a filling. The laser kills and removes bacteria inside the cavity. Traditionally, this is done with a drill and scalpel, which is more invasive and painful.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
The CO2 LightScalpel is a minimally invasive, progressive dental care option. And, we are proud to offer this service to dental patients of all ages. From young patients needing soft tissue treatment for a frenectomy to adults with cavities, laser dentistry is safe and beneficial for most patients.
These are some of the many benefits of laser dentistry as an alternative to traditional tools and procedures:
Laser dentistry encourages faster healing than more traditional dental approaches.
The laser promotes clotting, so there is less bleeding with these procedures.
A laser also sterilizes the soft tissue, so the risk of infection is reduced.
Lasers cause less damage to surrounding tissue than traditional tools do.
While recovery time is often reduced in procedures involving lasers, so is pain and discomfort.
Patients can rest assured, knowing that soft-tissue laser dentistry is safe for children and adults.
In certain cases, laser dental treatment may even eliminate the need for anesthesia.
For some procedures and patients, sutures are not needed after a laser treatment.
With all of the benefits, there are some situations in which lasers are not appropriate. They cannot be used on teeth with metal fillings, for instance. For some cavities, the dentist must complete the filling with a drill. There is a small risk of injury to soft tissue and tooth pulp with lasers, but it is low, and the tool is generally considered safe for most patients.
Learn More About Newtown’s Laser Dentistry Options
We are pleased to be able to offer patients of all ages a safer, less invasive, and less painful alternative for several dental procedures. The drill and other tools are noisy, frightening, and painful for many patients. If we can replace these with a better option, we will.
Our dentists or orthodontist can evaluate you or your child to determine if you are a good candidate for a laser procedure.
If you would like to learn more about laser dentistry and which procedures and conditions we can use it to treat, call us at (215) 774-5496. Or, request your appointment now to experience the hometown, comprehensive dental care experience at Newtown Dentistry to which patients look forward.
