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Lasers may be an effective alternative to traditional dental procedures. All lasers use energy as a light form, but they can be used differently when needed for various purposes. A laser can be used as a cutting tool, vaporizer, strengthening instrument, or source of heat. Lasers have been used in the dentist’s office since the early 1990s as a means to treat gums, but today serve a wide variety of uses, including:
- tooth decay: Lasers can be used to remove decay within teeth, prepare tooth enamel for fillings, and strengthen weak fillings.
- gum disease: Lasers can be used in root canal procedures to remove bacteria and reshape the gums.
- biopsy or lesion removal: Lasers can be used to remove lesions and small pieces of tissue for examination, and relieve pain caused by canker sores.
- teeth whitening: Lasers can be used to activate a peroxide solution to speed up teeth bleaching procedures.
- Soft tissue reshaping: Lasers can be used reshape the gum tissue in order to expose healthy tooth structures, improve smiles, and resolve speech impediments.
- nerve regeneration: Lasers can be used to regenerate nerves and blood vessels that have been damaged and to remove scars.
- sleep apnea: Lasers can be used to reshape the throat to correct breathing problems attributed to sleep apnea.
- joint treatment: Lasers can be used to reduce the pain caused by joint problems in the jaw and to cut down inflammation.
Lasers can often be used in place of traditional dental drills. In fact, when used in place of a drill, lasers may also:
- reduce pain, allowing procedures to be performed with less of a need for anesthesia.
- reduce anxiety in patients who are uncomfortable with drills
- reduce bleeding and swelling of soft tissue
- maintain healthy teeth during cavity removal
Lasers cannot be used on teeth that already have fillings placed and they are unable to be used in common dental procedures such as filling cavities between teeth or around old fillings and cannot fix large cavities that need crowns. Lasers cannot remove flawed crowns or silver fillings, nor can they prepare teeth for bridges.
Laser dentistry has received FDA approval, but the American Dental Association (ADA) has yet to give it their Seal of Acceptance. However, the ADA has stated that it is cautiously optimistic about the use of lasers in dentistry.
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