Lasers in Dentistry

Posted Friday, September 7, 2007 to PROCEDURES > Smile

Posted by The Original Anti-Aging & Cosmetic Surgery Magazine

California cosmetic dentist Dr David Frey explained to Holly O'Neill how lasers are used in cosmetic dentistry.

Lasers are used in many surgical procedures, including eye surgery and cosmetic surgery. Now they are also being used to transform smiles as part of cosmetic dentistry. Today patients can have a comfortable visit to the dentist and leave feeling relaxed and looking good. With the use of lasers in dentistry, many cosmetic procedures have become pleasant and quick to attain.

Dr Frey described two lasers, the Argon laser and the Diode laser, which are used for completely different purposes. He also says that with these lasers he is now able to perform better dentistry.

Gum Sculpting

Often smiles can be hidden by a low gum line or look crooked because of extra gum. This is where the Diode laser is most useful. Its main use, (apart from cleaning and a few other non-cosmetic procedures) is for gingival, or gum-line, sculpting. The Diode laser balances the gums, so that they are even and in the most aesthetic position. "It is a pain-free procedure," Dr Frey said. "Generally you don't even have to be numbed, and it takes literally seconds. It completely removes any excess gum tissue." Once removed, the gum tissue will never grow back.

The alternative to having gum sculpting performed with a laser is to have it done with a scalpel. Using a scalpel on the gums causes them to release histamine, and start bleeding. using a Diode laser, there is no histamine release - hence no bleeding and no healing time. A patient can go back to work immediately after the procedure.

There are minimal risks involved using lasers for cosmetic dentistry - operators and patients must simply wear protective eye wear. All procedures using a laser require no recovery or healing time. "We use the lasers every day in dentistry. The level of dentistry is such, that in order to obtain the high quality expected today, we need to use lasers to give patients their optimum results," said Dr Frey.

Curing

The most aesthetic treatment in dentistry today is the placement of porcelain veneers, which can not only straighten teeth without braces, but can also whiten them, and change their shape and size. The veneers are bonded onto the tooth for permanence - usually this is done with a normal light to cure the bonding material. Dr Frey uses the Argon laser for speed and ease. "The Argon laser is mostly used for curing. You get a higher bond strength when you cure with a laser," explained Dr Frey. It is also a lot faster. "Typically it would take 40 seconds to cure a tooth with a normal light. It takes 5 seconds using a laser."

Whitening

Transforming a stained and aged smile has never been easier. Sitting in a comfortable chair listening to music or watching television, you can relax while your teeth are whitened. A gel is applied to the teeth. Then using the Argon laser your teeth are taken back through time to become whiter again. The gel is a mixture of carbonate peroxide and hydrogen peroxide - the most common gel dentists use to whiten teeth. "The light of the laser activates the gel on the teeth," explained Dr Frey - making the process a lot faster. The laser is aimed from approximately an inch away and swept across the front of the teeth.

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