If you’ve been keeping up with the latest dental trends, then you’ve probably heard about laser dentistry. Or maybe you’ve heard your coworkers talking about modern, gentle, and affordable laser dental care. Whatever the case, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about laser dentistry, but how much do you really know about it?
For those in the know, laser dentistry is the gold standard of dental care. So, if you’re ready to experience superior dentistry, then schedule an appointment with our Austin, TX, dentist, Dr. Helen Ragsdale. Simply call Austin Laser Dentist at (512) 346-4690 or send our office a message here to request your appointment today.
In this post, our team challenges what you know about laser dentistry with this simple quiz. So, go ahead–give it your best shot! You might learn some surprising things along the way.
1. Laser dentistry is painful.
- True
- False
Answer: False
In the past, dentists used sharp metal scrapers and shrill rotary tools to provide patients with less-than-comfortable dental care. Indeed, experts believe that the painful scraping and drilling of conventional dental treatments contributed to the nearly 40% of people who report dental anxiety today.
Laser dental tools, however, are not only quieter than conventional dental tools, but they are gentler, too. This means that patients can get comfortable and comprehensive care that requires less pain management, limits post-procedural complications, and reduces recovery time.
2. Dental lasers are for hard tissues only.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Dental lasers are strong enough to cut through dentin (the material that makes up our teeth), but gentle enough to trim gum tissue. This means that dentists can use dental lasers to treat cavities, tackle root canals, or even contour delicate gum tissue. Laser dentistry is a truly versatile field that is only getting safer and more effective with time.
3. Laser periodontal treatments are better than traditional periodontal treatments.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Traditionally, dentists treated periodontal disease (also called gum disease) by using special metal tools to remove plaque above and below the gumline. And, when necessary, they manually removed severely infected gum tissue using a razor-sharp scalpel. Needless to say, traditional periodontal treatments were painful, risky, and tedious.
Today, however, dentists can use ultra-precise, high-powered lasers to quickly remove plaque around the gumline. Not only are laser periodontal treatments faster, but they are remarkably efficient at lowering post-procedural infections and complications, too. Experts largely attribute this to the laser’s ability to disinfect tissue as it goes.
4. You can whiten your teeth with laser dentistry.
- True
- False
Answer: True
You’ve probably heard of professional teeth-whitening treatments, but did you know that lasers can enhance the results? It’s true! At Austin Laser Dentist, we offer LaserSmile™ brightening treatments, which maximize whitening effects in just 40 minutes.
See how laser dentistry can help you–schedule a consultation!
Don’t just take our word for it–experience laser dentistry for yourself today. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ragsdale at Austin Laser Dentistry by calling (512) 346-4690 or by sending our team a message here. You’ll love how gentle, affordable, and comprehensive dental care can be!