What is Laser Dentistry?

In the past 20 years, almost every medical field has added innovative procedure methods to their arsenal. For surgeons, fiber optic cameras have now assisted almost all major operations, decreasing the invasiveness and chance of mistakes. In the dental field, lasers have added precision and efficiency to both medical and cosmetic procedures. Since the FDA’s approval of soft tissue laser procedures in 1990 and hard tissue procedures in 1996, dentists have been able to offer this alternative for many of their patients’ needs.

The benefits of a laser procedure are tremendous. The high powered beam is so precise that it causes far less damage than a scalpel, and has eliminated the need for sutures (aka. stitches) in many soft tissue related procedures. The high-powered light also causes the blood vessels to clot, so there is less bleeding involved. Additionally, the chance for a bacterial infection to occur is reduced because the laser will sterilize the entire area and a painless application of the laser means that many procedures won’t require anesthetics. This way, the dental laser has allowed for procedures to be completed more efficiently and for the subsequent healing time to be cut in half.

The greatest part about the dental laser is that it can be applied to both medical and cosmetic procedures. Your dentist can use the high powered beam to detect cavities and then to eliminate bacteria in the area in preparation of a filling. Lasers can also be used to repair a sensitive tooth by targeting the problem at the source: the root. In cosmetic procedures, the laser can be used to prepare the bone and tissue for the placement of a crown, ensuring a stable and long lasting correction. Gummy smiles can be reshaped using the laser (gum laser contouring) to reveal a more appealing smile. Laser teeth whitening has allowed patients to have a whiter smile in as little as one dentist visit, up to two weeks faster than previous methods. In short, lasers have allowed dentists to offer faster and more reliable alternatives to many dental procedures.

At Millennium Dental, Dr. Eddie Siman is experienced with the many applications of the dental laser. Whether you are looking to reduce the pain and healing process of a surgical procedure or want to enhance your smile in the fastest and most efficient manner, a dental laser procedure may be right for you. Contact Millennium Dental in Los Angeles, Ca today to schedule a consultation for a laser dental procedure.