Advantages of Dental Lasers that Lead to Faster Healing

Healing time is significantly increased when a dental laser is used to perform a procedure rather than a drill. With a drill, there is often damage done to healthy portions of the tooth or gums, which not only causes more pain but increases the time it takes to heal. Because lasers are more precise and accurate, they can narrow in specifically on the area that needs treatment and leave the rest of the mouth unaffected, resulting in faster healing. Because lasers can also aid in earlier detection of tooth decay or cavities, the area that needs treatment can be significantly smaller than it would be otherwise. This means smaller wounds and less time spent at the dentist. With a smaller portion of the tooth needing treatment, recovery time is reduced. Additionally, dentists can perform procedures in different areas of the mouth in one sitting, meaning patients will not have to make return visits as frequently as they would with the use of a drill. Lase dentistry is minimally invasive. Instead of a drill cutting into your tooth, there is a high beam of energy that is absorbed by the tooth and gets rid of decay or unwanted gum tissue. There are no incisions to recover from. There is no need for stitches because the laser helps seal the targeted area, also reducing bleeding. The beam also kills off the bacteria which minimizes the chance of infection. Many procedures involve what is known as curing, which is the hardening of plastic inserted into the mouth for things like tooth fillings or denture bases. Lasers not only make this process much faster, but the result is more reliable and longer lasting. Going to the dentist can often be a nuisance because of the anesthesia. People are left numb and dizzy for hours after their surgery. The need for anesthesia is lowered or sometimes completely eliminated. Patients are able to drive themselves home and continue their daily routine. Even in cases where there is minor pain or discomfort, this usually subsides within 24 hours. Traditional dentistry can sometimes take days or even weeks to recover from. These advantages all lead to faster healing time, less post-operative discomfort and healthier teeth.