Laser Dentistry: Learn to Love the Dentist Again

    /24-7PressRelease/ - DALLAS, TX, August 27, 2008 - Mention going to the dentist to some people, and they immediately conjure up painful memories of the touch and sounds of dreadful metallic drills. With today's advances in laser dentistry, those people no longer have to fear the dentist.

A dental laser called Waterlase, developed by Biolase Technology, Inc., can eliminate the need for drills in both hard and soft tissue dental procedures. This method is also FDA-approved for bone, endontics and periodontics procedures. Invasive surgery is replaced by laser-energized water without heat or vibration to perform the work traditionally done by drills. Most patients report that their laser dentistry experiences are painless and relaxing - a far cry from how many people would describe their dental visits with traditional drills.

Procedures suitable for laser dentistry
The list of dental procedures that benefit from laser dentistry is virtually limitless. Some of those procedures include:

• Dental fillings and cavity preparation
• Removal of benign tumors
• Reshaping of gum tissue to improve smile
• Removal of bacteria in root canals
• Gum or bone surgeries
• Cold sores or canker sores
• Frenectomy (for children who are tongue-tied, have limited tongue movement, etc.)

Benefits of laser dentistry
Experienced dentists use the precision of this state-of-the-art technology in two ways: to zap cavities with the laser-energized water stream or by using the laser to provide a cutting action for soft tissue procedures with the water stream immediately cooling the area. There are a host of benefits, including:
• Needles and drills are eliminated, for both adult and children's procedures.
• Fewer shots and anesthetizations required.
• Teeth sensitivity is reduced or eliminated.
• A stronger bond is established between teeth and cavity fillings.
• Sutures are not required for most soft tissue procedures.
• Wounds heal quicker and tissues are regenerated.
• Minimal bleeding occurs due to better coagulation of exposed blood vessels.
• Minimal bacterial infections due to wound sterilization.
• Reduced cracks or fractures to the healthy portions of the teeth.
• Minimal damage to tissues surrounding the targeted area.
• Cavities can be detected early and possibly reversed.

Limitations of laser dentistry
Lasers cannot be used on teeth that already have fillings nor can they adequately remove existing mercury fillings, crowns or onlays. In addition, lasers cannot fill cavities located between teeth.

Even though the use of lasers for dentistry has been in existence for many years, only a very small percentage of dentists utilize laser dentistry in their offices today, partly due to the high cost of laser equipment. Those dentists who invest in this equipment and acquire the proper training can provide their patients with the most modern, safe and highly effective dental techniques.

If you would like to learn more about laser dentistry, please visit the website of Dr. Gary E. Alhadef, D.D.S., located in Dallas, Texas.

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