Is Laser Dentistry Safe?

When we think of lasers, the first thing that usually comes to mind is something from science fiction or a nightclub. We don’t usually associate them with dentistry, yet we have been using them for years. In fact, dental lasers have been used since the 1990s with great effect.

So what are they, how do they work and are they safe?

What is Laser Dentistry?

You may already know that a laser is an instrument that focuses a very narrow beam of energy. That light can be tuned to have several desired effects, one of them is to shape or remove tissue, perform biopsies, reshape gums, treat infections and even for tooth whitening.

The dental laser is a very effective tool in our arsenal, one that offers a lot of power in the right hands. The light produces heat, which is used to achieve the goal we need.

Dental lasers are a very tightly focused tool that has the advantage of hitting just where we need it, without affecting the tissue around it. This means we can perform the desired procedure without impacting too much on the mouth around the area. That’s great news for pain management and recovery.

How Does it Work?

The laser is a hand tool much like the drills and picks we use. We tune the laser to the desired frequency and apply it to the affected area to do what we need it to do. In trained hands a dental laser is akin to a surgeon’s scalpel. It goes to the root of the problem and deals with it directly.

The laser can cut, mold or reshape tissue depending on how it is applied. With proper training, dentists can use it to achieve a number of goals. That’s why it’s such an important tool.

Is Laser Dentistry Safe?

If your dentist is trained and practiced in the use of dental lasers, the procedures themselves are perfectly safe. Like any precision tool, care has to be taken in its operation, but the procedures are as safe as any we perform.

If you’re checking the credentials of a new dentist, ask them about their training and experience using dental lasers. There is currently no global standard, but the Academy of Laser Dentistry is one of the larger bodies that offers training.

The dentists here at Aesthetic Family Dentistry have all undergone extensive training in the use of dental lasers. Each of us has years of experience with the tools and hundreds, if not thousands, of successful procedures behind us. If you’re within reach of Denville, New Jersey, you should give us a call. We’re here to help!