The term ‘laser,’ can still conjure up images of futuristic ideals, even sci-fi television programs and movies. However, lasers are more commonly used in medicine, including dentistry, than ever before. This is a revolutionary technology that can provide tremendous benefits for those who require some type of dental work.
The name ‘laser’ gets its name from Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. They are basically beams of light that have one single wavelength. White light, or daylight, has numerous wavelengths within it. If you take a prism and hold it up to the sunlight, you will see a rainbow of colors divided based on their wavelengths (some colors travel faster than others and therefore bend more, creating the rainbow effect).
Dental laser work will generally be categorized into one of three categories: disease diagnosis, hard tissue procedures of the bone or the tooth enamel and dentin, or soft tissue procedures of the gums, lips, and tongue.
More and more dentists today are using lasers to help detect and diagnose various forms of dental disease. They are exceptionally helpful in allowing dentists to identify dysplastic or precancerous tissues within the gums.
These lasers have also been used successfully to help remove malignant and benign lesions in the mouth.
Not all dentists rely on laser technology today, and even though it is still a growing development within the dental field, there could be some potential benefits to using lasers for proper oral care. If you have heard about laser dental surgery or other procedures, you may be interested in talking to your dentist to find out if he or she has any experience with it.
There are certain benefits to laser dentistry, but there are also certain benefits to the more traditional form of dental work. The Dental Centre can help address any issues or concerns, or answer questions, you may have regarding laser dentistry.