Lasers, short for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, use scientific principles to create a powerful tool that a range of industries can’t do without. They’re essential in fiber optic cables, radar, and satellites; and in cutting materials, performing heat treatment, scanning barcodes, helping print circuit boards, and so many other things.
They’ve also become indispensable in medicine and have opened new vistas in dental treatment with less discomfort and better results. Let’s explore the many ways laser dentistry can help with your dental problems by examining the types of lasers used, the problems they treat, and how they help in ways other methods don’t.
Residents of East Village, Manhattan, New York, with dental problems can benefit from laser dentistry and other treatment options at Nusblatt Dental, with Dr. Adam Nusblatt and his staff.
Dental lasers are classified based on the lasing medium (gas or solid), whether they’re applied to soft or hard tissue, and their wavelength. They come in four basic types based on these criteria:
Useful for soft-tissue dental applications, this device uses wavelengths between 810 and 980 nanometers (nm) and is less invasive than a dental drill.
Short for neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, this type works at a higher wavelength (1064 nm) and provides minimal cellular destruction and tissue swelling.
This laser uses two different wavelengths of light, as it employs two crystals (erbium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet and erbium, chromium–doped yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet) with wavelengths of 2940 and 2740 nm, respectively. It removes cavities painlessly and reduces microleakage.
This type works at the longest wavelengths (9300 – 10600 nm) and removes lesions during periodontal surgery. This type is used more frequently than the others.
Lasers have many uses in dentistry, including:
These devices can manage gum contouring, treat gum disease, perform frenectomies, and remove excess tissue.
Crown lengthening, tooth decay, hypersensitivity, and root canals can all be done with lasers.
Lasers can also perform deep cleaning, treat oral lesions, regenerate tissue, remove tumors, whiten teeth, and reduce jaw pain.
Lasers have several advantages over traditional methods, mainly in reducing tissue damage and healing time. With these devices, the dentist uses sutures less when closing after treatment. You have far less bleeding, allowing tissue to heal not just faster but also to regenerate. Additionally, it does less damage to surrounding tissue.
The process isn’t perfect, as there are still issues like hard lasers potentially injuring the tooth pulp. In addition, drills may still be necessary in some instances, and some procedures still require an anesthetic. Some treatments can’t be done with lasers, depending on the condition of surrounding tissue or certain issues involving the gums and other tissues.
However, lasers have come a long way in medical treatment, especially in the dental field. For information on what laser treatments may be right for your needs, schedule an appointment with Dr. Nusblatt and Nusblatt Dental today.
