Laser Dentistry

According to the Association of Health Care Journalists, 43.1% of children in the U.S. aged 2 to 19 have had tooth decay in either a primary or a permanent tooth. Laser dentistry can help treat tooth decay in children of all ages. Tooth decay, also known as caries or cavities, is caused by bacteria, among other things. Tooth decay starts when foods containing carbohydrates—sugars and starches—are left on the enamel of a tooth. These food traces are converted into acids by bacteria already in the mouth.

The combination of bacteria, food, acid, and saliva forms plaque on the teeth. Unless cleaned properly, the acids made by the bacteria eat away at tooth enamel, forming cavities. In the past, tooth decay was removed with the aid of dental drills, rotary tools, enamel scissors, and cleaning brushes. In some dental practices today, drills are still used, but more and more dental offices are turning to laser dentistry—and not just for cavities. Keep reading to learn more about how pediatric dentists use laser dentistry.

The History of Laser Dentistry

Light travels in wavelengths of color. Each color of light has its own wavelength. Most of the light we see—for example, light from the sun—is made up of a combination of color wavelengths. Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers produce a narrow, focused beam of light. Each beam contains light wavelengths that are all similar. These wavelengths travel together in phase and concentrate a great deal of energy onto a very small area.

Laser dentistry was first explored in the 1960s. Dentists had begun to think that lasers could be used to eradicate tooth decay. The problem was, lasers were neither effective enough, nor gentle enough to use in this way. Over the decades, laser technology improved. At the beginning, dental lasers used a ruby as the laser medium. Ruby lasers did vaporize tooth enamel, but scientists thought the tooth pulp might be damaged in the process.

Researchers switched to using CO2 and Erbium YAG lasers. These proved to be much more successful and in the 1990s, lasers began to be more widely used in dental offices for the removal of tooth decay and more. Today, about 10% of all dental offices—including Dr. Beanca Chu’s Children's Dentistry—use lasers in some capacity. Those numbers are increasing all the time as improvements are made and equipment becomes affordable. Dental lasers are FDA-approved for use with a variety of dental conditions.

The Benefits of Laser Dentistry

For many patients, dental drills can be very uncomfortable. The vibration can be unsettling and the sound unnerving. In addition to containing no vibration, lasers are silent. Often when a dentist is going to be using a drill on your teeth, anesthesia of some kind will be used—novocaine or light sedation, perhaps. Laser dentistry often requires no anesthesia, and the recovery is smoother, too. Lasers leave behind less swelling and less bleeding. Additionally, there is less chance of bacterial infection when lasers are used since lasers are sterile.

Since lasers are so precise, less healthy tissue will be removed than might be with a drill. Tissue which has been treated with a laser will regenerate more quickly, and the use of sutures is less likely. Lasers are quite versatile, treating not just tooth decay, but also infections, hypersensitivity, gum reshaping, and gum disease. Lasers can also whiten teeth.

There are a few disadvantages of laser dentistry to be aware of. For example, depending on how it's used, there can be injury to either the gums or the tooth pulp. If there is already a filling in a specific tooth, a laser cannot be used on that tooth. Although lasers do have many dental uses, there are some procedures that still require the use of more traditional dental tools. These include prepping for a dental crown or a dental bridge.

Types of Laser Dentistry

There are two types of laser dentistry, hard tissue and soft tissue. At Dr. Beanca Chu’s office, we perform both.

Hard tissue laser procedures include:

  • Cavity/tooth decay detection
  • Preparing a tooth for a composite filling; lasers kill bacteria living on a tooth
  • Treating tooth sensitivity by sealing tubules on the tooth's root
  • Removing small amounts of the tooth structure
  • Repairing dental fillings

Soft tissue laser procedures include:

  • Reshaping gum tissue to resolve a gummy smile
  • Crown lengthening (reshaping gum tissue and bone to aid in the placement of tooth restorations)
  • Treating tongue frenulum attachment (the fold of skin under the front part of the tongue)
  • Removing soft tissue folds from ill-fitting dental appliances

There are many other applications for dental lasers. To name just a few:

  • Removal of benign tumors from the cheeks, gums, palate, and lips
  • Reduce pain from cold sores
  • Regeneration of damaged nerves
  • Reduce pain associated with TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)

Laser Dentistry and Your Child

Many people, particularly children, are bothered by the vibration and noise of a traditional dental drill. A laser can make for a much more comfortable and less anxiety-producing dental experience. Besides all of that, lasers are pretty cool! Lasers can be used for dental cleanings, a staple in each child's visit to the dentist. Be aware that a spinning toothbrush and floss will still be part of the cleaning process. A laser can’t substitute for those tools.

Anesthesia isn't necessary for most laser procedures. A child can be more aware of what's going on and communicate with their dentist and hygienists with ease. Children who may have sensory issues may particularly benefit from the use of lasers. Lasers produce no sounds or sensations which might overwhelm their senses. The safety of all patients is paramount in any pediatric dental practice. Children will wear special glasses during treatment to protect their vision. Pediatric dentists will take the time to explain to both parents and children how the laser is being used and why. There will be no surprises.

Choosing Laser Dentistry

If your child has a cavity—or any other dental condition—that may be treatable by laser dentistry, check with your pediatric dentist to see what options are available. Your child's next dental appointment could be easier than the last.

If you live in the Huntington Beach area and you are interested in pediatric laser dentistry, don't wait! Contact us for a consultation today.