Of the many advances in dental equipment and treatment modalities that we can offer our patients now, laser therapy is surely one of the most exciting.
Dentistry has been at the forefront of research into the application of dedicated dental lasers for hard and soft tissue use. There has been a rapid growth in the development of the numerous different types of suitable lasers, and the last few years has seen the pricing of laser equipment become more affordable (relatively!), and the extent of the clinical applications has expanded.
At Dowerglen Dental we use a diode laser, the SIROLaser of Sirona, which has a wavelength of 970nm and has specifically been developed for soft tissue treatments.
Clinical indications for the use of the diode lasers are the following:
- soft tissue laser “surgery” – gingivectomies, gingovoplasties, frenectomies and excision of soft tissue tumours or growths – no bleeding, minimal post-op pain and enhanced healing
- crown lengthening or removal of excess gum from teeth that appear too short
- laser bacterial reductions (LBR) in cases of gingivitis and patients with moderate periodontal pocketing around their teeth
- laser assisted periodontal therapy (LAPT) – non-surgical removal and disinfection of the soft tissue in deeper periodontal pockets
- low level laser therapy (LLLT) to alleviate muscle pain in patients with tension headaches and sore TMJs in bruxism patients
- LLLT can stimulate non-surgical bone regeneration in patients with advanced periodontitis
- LLLT also stops fever blisters from developing and lessens the pain associated with them, alleviates the pain of mouth ulcers, and can desensitize exposed tooth necks which result from over vigorous tooth brushing
- disinfection of the canals during root canal therapy
- to staunch bleeding whilst restoring deep subgingival carious lesions
- to expose and identify crown margins which are subgingival when doing crown impressions