Laser dentistry is one of the most innovative treatment options available to dental patients. Lasers are often used in place of drills and scalpels that can make patients feel anxious, stressed, and uncomfortable. At a laser dental center, patients receive comfortable, minimally invasive care for a wide range of issues, such as:
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Gum recession
- A gummy smile
- Dental stains
- Chipped teeth
- Oddly shaped teeth
Continue reading to learn about the benefits of laser dentistry as well as the laser dental treatments we offer at our Austin laser dental center.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
We already mentioned that lasers allow for more comfortable and minimally invasive procedures, but they offer even more benefits than that!
Here are more benefits of choosing to receive dental care from a laser dental center:
- Quicker recovery times: For patients with gum disease, traditional treatment methods usually lead to swelling and bleeding of the gums. Comparatively, dental lasers cause little to no bleeding, swelling, or discomfort, so the patient’s mouth doesn’t have to go through a healing process at all!
- Accuracy and precision: A major contributing factor to the quick recovery time is that dental lasers are precise. This lowers the patient’s risk of losing healthy oral structures.
- Early detection: Dental lasers can detect cavities in their earliest stages—before an x-ray machine—so patients don’t have to deal with the negative effects of a developed cavity.
Our Laser Dental Center Treatments
At Austin Laser Dentist, Dr. Helen Ragsdale utilizes three types of lasers: soft tissue lasers, hard tissue lasers, and DIAGNOdent® laser cavity detection.
These are the laser dentistry treatments we offer:
Laser Gum Surgery
Severe periodontal disease sometimes requires surgery. With lasers, patients no longer have to endure the nerve-wracking sounds and discomfort of scalpels and drills. Instead, a hair-thin laser is inserted between the tooth and gum to eliminate the infection.
Laser Pocket Decontamination
Sometimes, gum disease can be treated without surgery by using dental lasers that emit a focused light beam and removes the bacteria that reside in the periodontal pockets. This process actually creates an environment that allows the gums to heal themselves, so patients have a better chance of recovering.
Teeth Whitening
LaserSmile™ Whitening System has proven to be one of the fastest and most convenient ways to achieve a smile that’s up to nine shades lighter. Through advanced chemistry and laser-activated chromophores, patients can walk out of the office after an hour-long appointment feeling beautiful and confident.
Gum lifts
For patients with gummy smiles, laser dentists can safely and precisely remove excess gum tissue. This allows for more of the natural tooth to show and reveals an aesthetically pleasing smile.
Early Cavity Detection
Using DIAGNOdent technology, Dr. Ragsdale can detect cavities in their earliest stages. The device has proven to be 90 percent accurate in its diagnosis. Early detection prevents the cavity from spreading and makes it possible for the dentist to preserve more of the healthy tooth structures. Dr. Ragsdale will create a plan to stop the cavity from developing and causing further damage.
Other Dental Laser Applications
At laser dental centers, dentists also use lasers to cure restorative materials, remove tooth structures or lesions to eliminate disease, and aid in root canal therapy.
Contact Our Laser Dental Center Today
If you’ve been avoiding the dentist because of fear or anxiety, laser dentistry, along with a trusted dentist and other comfort items can eliminate those feelings.
Dr. Helen Ragsdale was one of the first dentists in the Austin, TX area to use dental lasers and regularly teaches other dentists how to use them. To learn how dental lasers can help improve your oral health, call our office today at (512) 346-4690.
