What are lasers used for in dentistry?

Scalpel blades were used in the past to shape and trim the gums, but they can leave jagged areas of tissue, cause more post-op pain, and healing time was much longer. That’s why at Chandler Dental we use Lasers. Dental lasers are extremely safe and precise, creating smooth contours to the gums. The healing is very quick and there is often very little to no pain afterwards.

Lasers have several uses in the dentistry field.  Here are some of the procedures that lasers can be used for and their benefits:

• Gum Sculpting/Contouring: When the gums are at uneven heights on adjacent teeth, a laser can be used to shape the gums so they are even and symmetrical. This is usually done in conjunction with cosmetic dentistry such as when doing veneers or composite bonding on the front teeth.  The shape and height of the gums around the teeth can be just as important as the shape and color of the teeth when creating a stunning smile.
• Removing Overgrown Tissue: Sometimes patients have what is known as a ‘gummy smile’ where they show a lot of gums above their teeth when they smile.  A dental laser can be used to correct this appearance.  Sometimes the bone needs to be contoured as well as the gums, depending on the severity of the condition.  In some cases, the gums are just simply covering the normal tooth underneath and the tooth just needs to be uncovered by shaping the gums.
•  Biopsy or Lesion Removal: When there is a nodule or bump of tissue inside the mouth that is sticking out, such as when you bite your cheek, the laser is an easy way to trim these areas flat.  If we suspect the lesion may be cancerous, we can use the laser to perform a biopsy and send it to the lab for testing.

• Periodontal Therapy: When deep pockets of gum disease and gingival inflammation are present and bone loss has already occurred, the tiny dental laser tip can slide into and decontaminate these areas and facilitate faster and better healing.
•  Frenectomy: A Frenum is a piece of connective tissue that attaches two structures together.  Such as the labial frenum (connects the gums to the lips) and the lingual frenum (connects the base of the tongue to the floor of the mouth).  If a frenum under the tongue (tongue -tie) is too tight or short it can affect speech development, breastfeeding, and swallowing.  In these cases, the frenum can be release by the use of a dental laser and restore proper function.

In addition to the above procedures, there are several other functions for lasers in the dental field that continue to be explored.  Teeth whitening, veneer removal, cavity preparation and even root canals are some of the expanded functions for dental lasers.

If you have one of the above conditions and would like to explore your options, please give us a call at Chandler Dental and one of our experienced dentists will create a treatment plan that is right for you.