Laser Treatments for Dental Use

Laser technology is used to effectively streamline dental procedures, such as those that are for the soft tissues inside the mouth. The technology delivers safer and more accurate results that are done in shorter periods of time, offering more positive experiences for patients as well as the dentists (and dental surgeons) who use them. 

Laser Treatments are Used for:

• Incision & draining of abscess – Laser technology can treat a dental abscess in an effective way that involves reduced to zero discomfort. The laser is used to make an incision in the gum tissue to facilitate the drainage of the abscess before treating it with antibiotics. The technology offers the added benefit of decontaminating action and minimally invasive steps, as well as minimized blood loss. 
• Fibroma – Fibromas are smooth, hard bumps inside the mouth that have scarred as a result of irritation or trauma. After the dentist determines that the bump is a fibroma, it can be removed with surgery using laser technology. The laser stops the bleeding as it cauterizes the treated part, and results in less scarring. 
• Gingival incision & excision – Laser technology is used for gingival incision, which simply means to cut through the gum tissue as part of a treatment plan – such as for dental abscess drainage or treatment of gum disease. Laser is also used for gum excision, which involves removing gum tissue – such as for gum contouring to resolve a gummy smile.  
• Canker sores, herpetic & other sores (oral mucosa) – Laser treatment provides an effective and safe way of treating lesions in the mouth, such as canker sores and herpes sores, and other lesions in the oral cavity that are caused by viruses. The concentrated laser beam destroys the viral infection and stimulates the treated area to quickly dry up for less discomfort. 
• Hemostasis & coagulation – When used for surgical procedures on soft mouth tissues, laser energy helps promote hemostasis – which is the natural reaction of the body to an injury by repairing the damage and stopping bleeding. The laser also helps with blood coagulation, changing the form of blood from liquid to gel to prevent excessive bleeding on the surgical site. 
• Lesion removal – Laser technology is used for lesion removal purposes inside the mouth. The focused laser delivers accurate results while also preventing too much bleeding. The laser energy encourages the blood to quickly coagulate as part of the body’s natural reaction to the injury. Laser treatments are also associated with minimal discomfort and less scarring in the soft tissue inside the mouth. 
• Operculectomy – Operculectomy refers to the surgical removal of a flap of excess gum tissue (called the operculum), which covers an incompletely erupted tooth. This tissue can partially cover wisdom teeth but can also develop around other unerupted teeth. The tissue can become infected because it can trap food debris and is difficult to clean. Using laser technology, the flap of gum is removed to make it easier to clean the tooth underneath and to eliminate the infected tissue. 
• Gum pigmentation – Gums that look darker have gingival hyperpigmentation. To treat this unsightly darkening, laser gum depigmentation is done to effectively lighten the affected areas of the gum tissue. The laser treatment gives the gums a more uniform shade and improves the aesthetics of the smile. 
• Pulpotomy – Pulpotomy is a procedure that works to save an extremely decayed tooth. Using laser technology, the treatment removes the infected pulp from the crown of the tooth. The remaining healthy pulp is treated to protect it from getting infected, after which the affected tooth is further protected by a dental filling or dental crown. This procedure is commonly used on the infected primary teeth of children, but it can also save adult teeth. 
• Aphthous ulcers – Aphthous ulcers are small sores that can form on the base of the gums as well as in the soft tissues inside the mouth. They are also called canker sores and, unlike cold sores, are not contagious. These painful ulcers can be treated with laser technology to promote permanent pain relief. The procedure triggers the natural reaction of the body to injury, promoting healing with minimal to zero pain and scarring. 
• Exposure of unerupted teeth – Unerupted teeth are hard to clean, making them susceptible to infections and other dental problems. Using laser technology, an oral surgeon can expose unerupted teeth that are not covered by bone and are fairly close to the gum surface. The procedure involves minimal pain and less risk of scarring compared to non-laser techniques. This treatment is also done as part of the preparation for orthodontic treatment.