
Sep
Have you ever heard the term “laser dentistry” and, if so, are you aware of how it has revolutionized the field of dentistry? Even if you have answered yes to both of those questions, the odds are that you probably still have some questions about how your dentist is utilizing lasers in providing you with safe and comfortable dental work. If you are in the Colorado Springs, CO area and have been seeking laser dental treatments, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Chris Brady and the Dental Health and Wellness team. Dr. Brady would love to discuss laser treatments with you and how they are used in treating your teeth, gums, and mouth.
There are 2 main uses where lasers offer a benefit not attainable in any other way. And both have to do with killing bacteria and other microbes prevalent in diseased areas of the teeth, gums and jaws.
First, when cavitation (a sub clinical sometimes asymptomatic jaw infection in an extraction site) surgery is needed, it requires removal of the infected periodontal ligament and other diseased tissue to get rid of the infection. A laser is a critical part of obliterating the bacteria, viruses, etc. so the body can heal and rid itself of the cavitation/infection.
Second, Dr. Brady and his team use laser therapy when teeth are removed from either a failed root canal or some other disease process where surgical procedures are needed, Failure to use laser therapy often results in painful “dry sockets.”
Many patients prefer to have teeth that need root canals or have already had a root canal, extracted. If this avenue is what the patient wants, it’s important to have the tooth removed correctly and that always includes both laser therapy and ozone to completely rid the site of infection.
If you have not heard of laser treatments in dentistry, you are in for an eye-opening. Laser dentistry has allowed dentists to provide incredibly safe, precise, and exceedingly comfortable treatments compared to older methods. Some may even say that laser dentistry is the greatest thing since sliced bread!
Laser dentistry has given dentists the opportunity to accomplish procedures, which in the past have been lengthy and uncomfortable, painlessly, and quicker than has been traditionally possible. Lasers are replacing traditional drills in some procedures, and the benefits reaped through lasers are beneficial to both the dentist and patient. If you are wondering how laser dentistry can benefit you, let us look at some common questions posed by patients regarding this form of dentistry.
When looking at studies that show somewhere around 60% of Americans have some form of dental fear or anxiety, it is no surprise that the first question many patients ask about laser dentistry is “is it painful?”. The simple answer is no. Laser dentistry allows the dentist to remove plaque from teeth painlessly. Many adults facing dental phobias do so because of the sound of the drills traditionally used in dental offices. You could even say that the sound of the dental drill is somewhat of an icon. It is a sound we all know and, in the case of many Americans, fear. The great news with laser dentistry is that the laser is also quiet while painlessly removing plaque. You will no longer need to hear that all too familiar drilling noise as your teeth are being worked on.
When talking about lasers (a concentrated beam of radioactive light) being used for dental procedures, that may seem a bit science fiction if this idea is brand new to you. You can rest assured that it is completely safe and in no way sci-fi.
What laser dentistry does offer is a much lower risk of bacterial infection post-procedure. The reason for this lower risk lies in the heat produced by the laser. This heat will not cause any discomfort to you, but it is enough to sterilize the area being worked on and prevent the development of harmful bacteria. This would not be possible without the use of laser technology.
Procedures that can be accomplished using a laser, including deep teeth cleaning, are very precise. The precise nature of laser dentistry is one reason why there is so little discomfort during procedures. Using a laser, the dentist and hygienist can make significantly less contact with surrounding tissue, saving you pain and discomfort and leaving your mouth feeling much better afterwards.
If you have ever undergone treatment on your gums (such as a deep cleaning or gum graft), you probably noticed that there was a certain amount of blood involved. This is because gums that are infected tend to bleed quite a bit, especially during treatment. One great advantage of lasers is their ability to promote blood clotting. This leads to less bleeding and an overall better experience.
Maybe you are just hearing about laser dentistry for the first time, or you have heard of it but never found a dentist who utilizes this technologically advanced and incredibly advantageous treatment. Whatever your case may be, if you are interested in laser dentistry and are in the Colorado Springs, CO area, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Chris Brady and the team at Dental Health and Wellness by calling (719) 215-9292 today.
Dr. Chris Brady opened his practice in Rockrimmon, Colorado in 1984, the same year he received his DDS degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry. He had graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980. As a practicing dentist, Dr. Brady continues to refine his diagnostic and treatment skills. He cares deeply for his patients and always seeks their opinion before beginning treatment.
He is a sought-after educator and speaker. For the last 20 years, he has taught thousands of dentists, and provides personal coaching to even practices abroad. He is a published author of many books and articles.