USE OF LASERS IN DENTISTRY

                                                                                                                                                   USE OF LASERS IN DENTISTRY  How are LASERS used in DENTISTRY ?Lasers in Dentistry can be used as an effective treatment option for a wide range of dental procedures. Dental laser is a tool which is used for surgeries, in setting restorative materials and for enhancing tooth shade (tooth whitening). It is also used to remove the tooth structure to eliminate disease. What is a laser and how does it work?A laser is an instrument that produces a very narrow, intense beam of light energy. When laser light comes in contact with tissue, it causes a reaction. The light produced by the laser can remove or shape tissue. Application of lasers in dentistry 

• Reducing the discomfort of canker and cold sores.
• More efficient, precise and shorter procedure time.
• Exposing partially erupted wisdom teeth.
• Removing muscle attachments that limit proper movement.
• Managing gum tissue during impressions for crowns or other procedures.
• Removing overgrown tissues caused by certain medications.
• Performing biopsy procedures.
• Removing inflamed gum tissues and aid in the treatment of periodontal disease.
• Removing or reshaping gum and bone tissues during crown lengthening procedures.
• Treating infections in root canals.
• Tooth whitening.

  Are dental lasers safe for me?Yes, if dental lasers are used according to accepted practices by a trained dentist, then it is safe. When your dentist performs a laser procedure, you will be asked to wear special eyeglasses to protect your eyes from the laser beams, just as you wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from prolonged exposure to the sun. How can I be sure my dentist is properly trained to use a laser?Do not hesitate to ask your dentist questions about the extent of his or her laser education and training. Make sure that your dentist has participated in educational courses and received training. How will I know if treatment with a dental laser is an option for?Ask your dentist whether you can go for laser depending on your case. Although the laser is a very useful dental instrument but not appropriate for every dental procedure. Dental laser is a tool that is used by dentist for appropriate procedures.Some lasers are used for surgery, gums and periodontal cases, some to cure restorative materials, enhancing tooth bleaching, and others to remove tooth structure for elimination of disease and restoration – different lasers for different procedures. All lasers require eye protection, safety glasses with special lenses will be provided. USES OF LASERS IN DENTISTRYIf you are afraid of dental procedures involving drills or other such tools, laser dentistry is the most suitable option for you. Laser dental treatment is more favorable for procedures involving tissues. LASER means ‘light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.’ Dentists use this technology to concentrate the emanating energy in a narrow beam. When the laser light is focused on the tissue, it either changes the shape of the tissue or removes it altogether. There are numerous uses of Lasers in dentistry    such as:

1. For treating gum disease
2. For treating hypersensitivity
3. For treating tooth decay
4.  For teeth whitening

With the help of lasers, dentists can carry out dental procedures efficiently and effectively. Lasers make dental procedures time-effective and comfortable for the individuals. Laser dentistry has even been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.   1. LASERS IN ROOT CANAL TREATMENTLaser Root Canal TreatmentA laser root canal follows basically the same procedure, but making use of a laser, instead of a drill, really does make a difference.The laser can ‘boil away’ the damaged tissue with far greater accuracy and speed and the tooth is left considerably cleaner. There is also often less bleeding involved – a plus for anyone because no one really likes to see blood, especially if it’s their own.Some patients who have had a root canal in the past and then had laser treatment have reported that the pain and discomfort they experienced immediately after their dental surgery was noticeably less.  What is Laser-Assisted Root Canal Treatment?It is a modern and minimally invasive method for treating infected or damaged tooth roots. It involves using laser technology to remove infected tissue, sanitize the root canal, and promote healing. The use of laser technology also allows for more precise removal of infected tissue, preserving more of the natural tooth structure, and making the procedure safer and less time-consuming. What is the need for Laser-assisted root canal treatment?The need for Laser-assisted root canal treatment arises when a tooth’s nerve and blood supply becomes infected. This can occur due to injury, decay, or gum disease and if left untreated, can lead to severe pain, swelling, and tooth loss. Conventional root canal treatment involves removing the infected tissue and filling the root canal with a rubber-like material to prevent further infection.The laser-assisted treatment is a more advanced form of root canal treatment that offers several benefits over conventional methods. Firstly, the use of laser technology allows for more precise removal of infected tissue and the sealing of the root canal. This leads to a more effective treatment and reduces the risk of recurrence. Secondly, it is a minimally invasive procedure that results in less pain and discomfort for patients. This is because the laser energy seals nerve endings as it removes infected tissue, reducing the need for local anesthetic.  Benefits of Laser-assisted Root Canal TreatmentThere are several benefits of Laser-assisted root canal treatment over conventional root canal treatment.Precise and effective: The use of laser technology ensures a more precise removal of infected tissue and sterilization of the root canal, reducing the risk of recurrence.Minimally invasive: It is minimally invasive, resulting in less pain and discomfort for patients. The laser energy seals nerve endings as it removes infected tissue, reducing the need for local anesthetic.Preserves natural tooth structure: It can help to preserve more of the natural tooth structure. The laser can remove infected tissue more precisely than traditional methods, reducing the need for extensive cutting or drilling. More Efficient: It is more efficient than conventional root canal treatment, taking less time to complete the procedure and reducing the number of appointments required.In conclusion, LARCT is a modern and advanced form of root canal treatment that offers many benefits over traditional methods. The use of laser technology ensures a more precise and effective treatment, reduces pain and discomfort, and promotes faster healing. It can also preserve more of the natural tooth structure, making it a great option for individuals who want to maintain good oral health. 2. LASERS IN CROWN LENTHENINGCrown lengthening is a  process involving reshaping the gums around your tooth so that it exposes more of the “crown” that’s normally above your gums.Aesthetic Crown LengtheningCosmetic crown lengthening help your tooth look larger. If teeth appear short or you have a “gummy smile”, reducing the height of your gingiva can help your teeth look more appealing. The treatment can be completed in one day with practically no post-operative discomfort.Restorative Crown Lengtheninga short length or worn out tooth –>  needs dental crown (cap) –> Anatomical crown can be enlarged –> by exposing the tooth root  –> a restorative crown is givenThis process helps in saving the tooth, which would have to be extracted otherwise.Therapeutic Crown LengtheningGum disease is an infection that destroys the attachment between your gum tissues and tooth roots, creating deep pockets under the gingiva. Deeper pockets are more challenging to clean. Crown lengthening reduces pocket depth, making home care and maintenance easier. 3. LASERS IN GUM DEPIGMENTATIONDark or black gums are the result of an excess of the pigment called melanin (also responsible for the color of the skin). Dark colored people have more of melanin in their skin, so do people with dark gums have more melanin in their gums. The good news is this can easily be treated by simple procedure called ‘Gum depigmentation.TECHNIQUEThis is a new modern method where the laser is used to remove the surface layer of the gums which has the maximum amount of melanin, the pigment responsible for the dark color. The result is pink and esthetically appealing gums. Laser technique of gingival depigmentation has been recognized as one of the effective, pleasant and reliable techniques. It is usually sufficient to eliminate the pigmented areas and do not require any periodontal/gingival dressing. Patient experiences less pain and discomfort due to formation of protein coagulum on the surface. It allows clean and dry operating field and stable results. The Healing Process 

• minor discomfort and no complications at all are seen after the treatment.
• some discomfort is experienced in patients with very sensitive gums for a short period of time.
• no precautions have to be taken post treatment.
• speak and eat normally immediately after the procedure.

Everything heals in about 2 weeks. Benefits of using lasers in dentistry are as follows:Dentist may not need to use a drill or administer anaesthesia in some procedures, which allows the patient to enjoy a more relaxed dental experience. Laser procedures can be more precise, hence reducing the symptoms and healing time associated with traditional therapies; it also reduces the amount of bacteria in both diseased gum tissue and in tooth cavities; and control bleeding during surgery. 

1. Soft tissue lasers lower the need for sutures.
2. Use of soft tissue laser results in blood clotting. This minimizes bleeding.
3. Local anaesthesia is not required .
4. Laser sterilizes the area making it less prone to bacterial infection.
5. Regeneration of tissue becomes possible and lasers enable wounds to recover faster.
6. Less damage to the surrounding tissues.

 You have to be cautious while choosing a dentist to perform lasers in dentistry. If he is unqualified, he may end up using the wrong power level or wavelength that has the potential to destroy tissues in the focused and surrounding area. In case, you are going for the laser dentistry, ask your dentist to supply you with eyeglasses to protect them from the harmful radiation.At VIN SMILES Advanced Dentistry our team of highly skilled dental specialists is trained to use LASER DENTISTRY to its full potential in order to minimize patient trauma and enhance the healing time for various dental procedures.