When most people think about the dentist, the sound of the drilling rings in their ears, or they feel an imaginary scalpel against their gums. Dental anxiety is completely justified, and luckily, there are other treatment options. Laser dentistry is making serious progress and helping patients enjoy quicker, painless treatments.
If you’ve traditionally avoided the dentist because of anxiety or fear, this might be the right solution for you. Let’s go over what it is and why you should give it a try.
What Is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry is a step out of the norm, but it’s changing the industry. Except, what is it exactly? Laser dentistry uses a light (in this case, a laser) to perform dental procedures on both soft and hard tissues.
When we consider traditional dentistry, we're mentally prepared for the pain and discomfort during and after a procedure. Usually drills and scalpels are involved and that's what causes pain and swelling. You don't need those tools with laser. Without drills or scalpels, your treatment becomes less invasive.
Laser isn't an all-in-one solution that's going to replace traditional dentistry, as there are limits to what it can do. Sometimes, you do need drilling or scalping done. But it is great for things like cavity removal, teeth whitening, gum disease, and gum reshaping. It also has lesser-known uses, including for cold sores.
5 Benefits of Laser Dentistry
You now have some idea of why laser dentistry is becoming a favorite over traditional treatments. But there's more to laser—let's take a look:
- Minimally Invasive
The top complaint people have when going to the dentist is the pain. As it can be really invasive, we get it—dental treatments can hurt.
This is why laser is better: it's minimally invasive. The drills and scalpels used in most treatments vibrate and can cause pain, with some people needing numbing injections for it. Meanwhile, laser doesn’t usually require anesthesia. And if you have dental anxiety, this is great news.
- Faster Recovery Time
With less trauma to the tissues, there’s faster recovery time after a procedure. Even after more complex laser dental treatments, most patients can return to normal life (unlike traditional dentistry) right away.
As hesitancy about recovery time and conflicts with work and family can often be a restraint, this can encourage people to go ahead and make an appointment.
- More Accurate
The problem with drills and scalpels is, although they're commonly used tools, sometimes they aren't as accurate. This is why your mouth can hurt after the dentist. Laser, on the other hand, is extremely precise. And with precision comes less damage to surrounding tissue. For things like gum reshaping or cavity removal, laser reduces the chances of swelling and tissue damage.
- Less Swelling and Bleeding
Lasers work by sealing blood vessels and nerve endings during and after treatment. It removes the potential throbbing in your mouth after the procedure. By sealing blood vessels and nerve endings, it can also help prevent infection. This is a big plus if you’re doing a more invasive treatment.
- More Versatility
Lots of people have dental anxiety, but luckily, laser dentistry can do (almost) everything with less discomfort. From treating cavities and gum disease to lesions or ulcers, a laser can cover a lot of issues.
Conclusion: Painless Dental Care With Laser Dentistry
While laser isn't the solution to all your dental problems, it can help with many of them. At the end of the day, if it's between drills and scalpels or less swelling and discomfort, we know what we'd pick. Ready to try out laser dentistry for yourself? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how this innovative treatment can completely transform your dental experience.
