LASER Dentistry

Laser Overview

Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In essence, a laser produces a concentrated beam of laser energy that Dr. Williams utilizes in a wide array of dentistry procedures including gum tissue alteration, composite bonding and teeth whitening.

Safety glasses will be used to protect your eyes from any harm. In many cases, the use of the laser instead of the drill or scalpel greatly reduces pain during the procedure. Depending upon what you need and your pain tolerance, anesthesia is sometimes even unnecessary!

Advantages

• With cosmetic laser dentistry, Dr. Williams can perform laser bleaching and whiten your teeth up in just about an hour!
• Cosmetic laser dentistry is also ideal for patients in need of dental bonding, which is used to repair minor chips, cracks or even breaks in teeth
• Post-operative discomfort is minimized
• Minimizes bleeding because the high-energy light beam aids in the clotting of exposed blood vessels, thus inhibiting blood loss
• Reduces the occurrence of bacterial infections because the high-energy beam sterilizes the area being worked on
• Waiting time to finish tooth fillings and crowns is reduced as lasers to expedite the curing process

Common Tooth Structure Laser Procedures:

• Teeth Whitening: Low intensity soft tissue dental lasers may be used to speed up the bleaching process associated with teeth whitening.
• Tooth Preparation: Can eliminate the need for a local anesthetic injection and the traditional drill. Lasers used in dental filling procedures are capable of killing bacteria located in a cavity, potentially leading to improved long term tooth restorations.
• Tooth Sensitivity: Can be used to seal tubules (located on the root of the tooth) that are responsible for hot and cold tooth sensitivity.

Common Soft Tissue Laser Procedures:

Gummy Smile: can reshape gum tissue to expose healthy tooth structure and improve the appearance of a gummy smile

Crown Lengthening: can reshape gum tissue and bone to expose healthier tooth structure. Referred to as crown lengthening, such reshaping provides a stronger foundation for the placement of restorations

Muscle Attachment (Frenula): can be used to remove muscle attachments that often lead to accelerated tooth decay

Lasers represent an innovative and precise technology for specific hard and soft tissue applications that will improve healing, reduce infection and generally minimize your time in the chair.