Laser Use in Dentistry

In this Article

In this Article

In this Article

Lasers have been used in dentistry since 1994 to treat a number of dental problems. Yet, despite
FDA approval, no laser system has received the American Dental Association's (ADA) Seal of
Acceptance as an alternative to more traditional treatment. That seal assures dentists that the
product or device meets ADA standards of safety and efficacy, among other things. The ADA,
however, states that it is cautiously optimistic about the role of laser technology in the field of
dentistry. These lasers are different from the cold lasers used in phototherapy for the relief of
headaches, pain, and inflammation.

Still, some dentists are using lasers to treat:

Tooth decay. Lasers are used to remove decay within a tooth and prepare the surrounding enamel
for receipt of the filling.

Gum disease. Lasers are used to reshape gums and remove bacteria during root canal procedures.

Biopsy or lesion removal. Lasers can be used to remove a small piece of tissue (called a biopsy) so
that it can be examined for cancer. Lasers are also used to remove lesions in the mouth and relieve
the pain of canker sores.

Teeth whitening. Lasers are used to speed up in-office teeth whitening procedures. A peroxide
bleaching solution, applied to the tooth surface, is ''activated" by laser energy, which speeds up of
the whitening process.
How Do Lasers Work in Dentistry?
All lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light. When used for surgical and dental
procedures, the laser acts as a cutting instrument or a vaporizer of tissue that it comes in contact
with. When used for "curing" a filling, the laser helps to strengthen the bond between the filling and
the tooth. When used in teeth-whitening procedures, the laser acts as a heat source and enhances
the effect of tooth-bleaching agents.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using a Laser in Dentistry?

Pros
Compared to the traditional dental drill, lasers:

May cause less pain in some instances, so reduces the need for anesthesia
May reduce anxiety in patients uncomfortable with the use of the dental drill
Minimize bleeding and swelling during soft tissue treatments
May preserve more healthy tooth during cavity removal
Continued

Cons
The disadvantages of lasers are that:

Lasers can't be used on teeth with fillings already in place.

Lasers can't be used in many commonly performed dental procedures. For example, lasers can't be

used to fill cavities located between teeth, around old fillings, and large cavities that need to be
prepared for a crown. In addition, lasers cannot be used to remove defective crowns or silver fillings,
or prepare teeth for bridges.
Traditional drills may still be needed to shape the filling, adjust the bite, and polish the filling even
when a laser is used.
Lasers do not eliminate the need for anesthesia.
Laser treatment tends to be more expensive -- the cost of the laser is much higher than a dental drill.
Lasers can cost between $39,000 and $45,000, compared to about $600 for a standard drill.

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Michael Friedman, DDS on November 29, 2015

Sources
SOURCE: Consumer Guide to Dentistry: ''Laser Dentistry: Enhancing Dental Treatment with
Lasers.''

? 2015 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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