Remember when you were a kid, and you heard that someday, lasers would be the ‘wave of the future’ and used to do incredible things like move objects to faraway planets or battle the Empire? Well, while we may not quite possess beaming or lightsaber technology just yet, dental lasers are already being used to improve oral health treatments. Here’s a closer look at how this futuristic technology can be used to make your dental procedure better!
What is a Soft Tissue Blazer?
Though there are many types of lasers available for a variety of uses, the soft tissue laser your dentist has uses concentrated light beams to act as a scalpel in procedures that affect the gums. This light essentially vaporizes the tissue, and the heat generated from it cauterizes the injury as it works, so there’s usually no need for stitches, either. This makes healing much more comfortable and reduces the risk of infection during the recovery process.
Gum Recontouring
Gum recontouring is a treatment that can be both cosmetic and medically necessary. It’s ideal for patients who have a ‘gummy’ looking smile that makes their teeth look too small and negatively affects the appearance of balance within the mouth. Your dentist can carefully direct the soft tissue laser to remove the excess tissue along the base of the teeth, making them appear larger and more pleasingly shaped. This treatment can also reduce the risk of developing gum infections by making it easier to floss and keep the tissue clean. Furthermore, this treatment is permanent, so you needn’t worry about having to repeat it, and the laser also makes recovery much more comfortable.
Periodontal Therapy
Gum disease is an infection of oral bacteria in the gum tissue. Although the early stages of this condition are completely reversible, if it has advanced to periodontitis, it can only be treated. With the soft tissue laser, your dentist can easily remove tissue that has become too damaged to save due to infection and has the benefit of killing bacteria within the gums as it works. Furthermore, the cauterization effect makes it a lot less likely that your gums will get reinfected or develop a secondary issue while you heal.
Remember, while today’s lasers still may not be able to let you to quickly leave the planet or battle Storm Troopers, they can make everyday dental treatments like periodontal therapy and gum recontouring safer, faster, and much more comfortable than ever before!
About Dr. Irons
Dr. Caroline Irons earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Mississippi and both her Master of Biomedical Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She is an active member in both Spear and TeamACT Education Study Clubs, a certified Invisalign provider, and a proud member of Women in Dentistry. To schedule an appointment at Southwest Dental Arts for treatment with the soft tissue laser, visit our website or call 208-322-5655 today.