The term laser dentistry, a few years ago, may have conjured up images of space age technology and a distant future. The great news is, medical science has made huge leaps with regard to how we treat many ailments, including the teeth. Today a laser dentist is not just a figment of Jules Vern’s imagination, but a 21st century reality. In much the same manner, as one assumed that laser dentistry was a thing of the distant future, few might have considered that discomfort and the need for anesthesia could also be removed from dentistry. However, with the advent of the laser and the ingenious way it has been incorporated into dentistry, both of these may soon be relics of the past.

Today laser dentists have made great strides in removing pain, heat, friction, pressure, and vibration from dentistry. The reason this is possible is because of the removal of the drill from the dental process. A drill works using vibration, and generates heat both of which are extremely uncomfortable in the mouth. Factor in the sound a drill makes as it is working its way through the body’s hardest substance, enamel, and there is little wonder, so many people are deadly afraid of visiting the dentist. Used improperly or in a hurry a dental drill can also cause micro fractures, small fractures which can become infected or lead to additional decay in the tooth. Laser dentistry takes away the risk of a micro fracture, and hence takes away the risk of additional decay caused by a previous treatment.

After years of seeking the right balance, scientists have given laser dentists an innovative new piece of technology to help fight a multitude of dental challenges while reducing the fear associated with dentistry. Dental lasers were invented after scientists decided to make use of the fact that tooth enamel naturally contains up to 5% of water, while dentine and bone contain 25% water. This showed that if the laser was water powered and could deliver air and water in extremely precise proportions, it could be directed at the tooth and gums with a resulting micro-ablation of the tooth structure. Since the spray is a combination of water and air, it also serves to rehydrate the tooth which prevents both heat and pain while the procedure is underway. This is the way of the future, painless and heatless dentistry without any risk of damaging nearby teeth or causing micro fractures.

There is are many benefits to using laser dentistry, but one in particular merits mentioning. Lasers cause a great deal less trauma to the teeth and also to the gums when treatments are being performed. The use of the laser significantly reduces the amount of bleeding a patient will experience, especially when treating the gums. As a result, there is a reduction in the amount of recovery time it takes to get a patient back on their feet and makes a significant impact on reducing the risk of infections. Finally the reduction in trauma, healing time, and bleeding directly results in a need for less prescribed pain medication for the patient.