Why do so many people skip the dentist? For many, it’s the sights and sounds of a dental office that make them uncomfortable, such as the whirring of a dental drill. But, patients no longer need to worry about that, thanks to dental lasers.This advanced technology is now commonly used in dental practices to provide patients with safer, more consistent results following a variety of procedures.
Dr. Helen Ragsdale is a trusted, experienced laser dentist conveniently located in Austin, TX. Her goal is to ensure that patients are comfortable throughout any treatment and achieve the best outcomes. In case you need more information, read on to learn what a laser dentist does.
Early Detection of Cavities
In our practice, we use lasers for early detection of cavities, often before they are even seen by the naked eye. The sooner that we can recognize that you’re suffering from tooth decay, the better your prognosis. Early detection can also help you maintain more of your tooth structure and prevent more painful issues later on.
For laser cavity detection, your dentist uses the DIAGNOdent handheld tool. Dr. Ragsdale targets it on the healthy enamel to get a baseline reading. Next, she uses it on areas in the mouth that might have cavities, which produces a reading to detect if there’s tooth decay. Not only is the tool quick and painless, but it also cuts down on the number of x-rays you might need.
Treat Gum Disease
Instead of invasive tools to treat gum disease, your dentist can use a laser instead. The light emitted kills the harmful bacteria in the gum pockets to prevent gum disease from worsening. After treatment, gums heal quicker, pain is reduced, and bleeding is minimized for better results.
Throughout the procedure, your doctor has more control to adjust the beam accordingly. Since the laser is more accurate, Dr. Ragsdale can pinpoint only the treatment area without disturbing healthy tissue.
Cosmetic Treatments
Do your gums look too long and are not proportionate with your teeth? This is known as a gummy smile, which you don’t have to tolerate any longer. Dr. Ragsdale can use lasers for gum contouring to reshape and resize your gums.
With the precision of the laser, your dentist can remove as little or as much tissue as needed to help you achieve the smile that you’ve always wanted. Unlike the traditional procedure, patients don’t have to deal with a lot of downtime, and no stitches are involved. Within one or two days, most patients have healed and can return to their normal activities.
Teeth Whitening
What about whiter teeth? Yes, your dentist can enlist the help of a handy laser to leave your teeth shades lighter for a more attractive smile. The LaserSmile treatment is a quick and convenient hour-long whitening session that happens in-house. On average, patients can enjoy teeth that are up to nine shades lighter than before.
A laser-activated whitening gel is placed on the teeth to break down surface stains and beyond. The whitening treatment is gentle, so teeth and gums are left comfortable during and after the process.
Schedule a Consultation
Now that you know what a laser dentist does, isn’t it time that you schedule your appointment? You can give us a call at 512-346-4690 or visit us online. Either way, we can set up a consultation to customize a treatment plan to optimize your oral health.
