The Role of Lasers in Dentistry

Dentistry has advanced tremendously over the past decades, benefiting patients and dentists. Laser is now a commonly used technology in clinical dentistry. It produces high-intensity light beams that can be focused into a small spot. It’s powerful enough to cut a diamond as well as delicate enough to reshape soft tissue. 

Types of Dental Lasers

There are two main types of lasers used in dentistry: hard tissue lasers and soft tissue lasers. Hard tissue lasers are used to shape or cut teeth and other hard tissues. Soft tissue lasers are used on gums and other soft tissues in the mouth.

Here are the types of dental lasers based on how the laser beam is generated: 

• Erbium Lasers

Erbium lasers are hard tissue lasers used in dentistry. They come in two types based on the crystal and the wavelength: erbium YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) and erbium chromium YSGG (yttrium scandium gallium garnet). 

These lasers vibrate or make noises like conventional dental tools. Moreover, patients won’t require heavy doses of anesthesia, enabling them to recover much faster. 

• Carbon Dioxide(CO2) Lasers

CO2 lasers are good for removing soft tissue quickly. As these are expensive, they are not available in many dental clinics. Also, CO2 lasers are bulky and could damage hard tissues. 

• Diode Lasers

Diode lasers are soft tissue lasers that work similarly to laser pointers. As these lasers are inexpensive and compact, most clinics prefer this. Diode lasers are used for teeth whitening, removing or reshaping gum tissues, making dental impressions, and other similar dental procedures. 

Benefits of Dental Lasers

• They require little to no anesthesia. 
• They replace noisy and vibrating dental tools. 
• They cause little to no pain and discomfort during a dental procedure.
• They cause less bleeding than traditional dental tools.
• Incisions made during the procedure heal quickly. 
• Requires fewer to no post-procedure stitches. 

Soft Tissue Procedures

Soft tissue procedures done with the help of dental lasers include:

• Crown lengthening via gum tissue reshaping
• Gummy smile treatment via gum tissue reshaping
• Tongue-tie and speech impediment treatments
• Treatment of soft tissue folds or epulis caused by poor-fitting dentures

Vose Family Dentistry is excited to be using this new technology in providing the best care for our patients!

Vose Family Dentistry focuses on providing the best dental care using modern technology. For more details or to schedule an appointment, call us at (507) 387-2255 or visit us at 220 E Main St., Mankato, MN 56001.