Lasers at the dentist - a natural choice for all

An increasing number of dental clinics offering today laser as a natural support for different types of treatments. For decades, laser technology fills our daily lives, day and night. DVD / CD player, computer mouse, measuring and recording as well as most of the manufacturing industry is today totally dependent on laser technology. In surgery and laser dentistry, lasers have been used since the 60s. In today's medical fields are laser represented in all specialties: A natural choice when you want to achieve maximum precision and safety of treatments. This with predictable results and often without otherwise common adverse complications, during or after treatment.

Some of the benefits that patients can expect from laser-supported dentistry:

• More comfortable treatments can be done without the laser instrument in contact with the treated area. Instead of drilling into the tooth, your dentist can gently and without vibrations remove all the unwanted tissue in the tooth, such as caries. What remains is the solid and healthy tissue.

• Mini-invasive technique, i.e. when as little as possible is removed from the tooth's own healthy tissue.
  

• If surgery is necessary, so the patient can in most cases go to work immediately after treatment. This is because the swelling and pain are uncommon after laser-supported surgery. Significantly smaller amount of anaesthetics and pain pills are needed. Also the need for antibiotics is reduced, which is of great importance in the struggle against bacterial resistance.
  

• The bacterial control is of high level at the removal of diseased tissue in teeth, gums or jawbone. The remaining healthy and vital cell does not react negatively to the laser light used. Fewer problems after treatment are a fruit of this.
  

• Different wavelengths of laser light have different characteristics depending on indication of treatment. The dentist can choose a laser that can reduce or eliminate infections, even if they are hidden to the eye. It is possible in some cases to illuminate through healthy parts to access the infected or inflamed. These options are used in treatment of infected root canals, oral inflammations, and when pulp nerves are hyper sensitive.
  

• Many viruses causing diseases affecting the oral cavity can be reduced or stopped using the laser: e.g. blisters / sores caused by herpes viruses. The treatment takes only a minute and is painless.
  

• Dental hygienist can benefit from using different types of lasers to facilitate plaque/tartar removal. Not least the ability to more humanely and with greater control of bacteria clean periodontal pockets is appreciated by both patients and dental personnel.

 

How does the laser work? 

The laser light is produced so that only one colour (wavelength) of the amplificated light leaves the instrument.

Different wavelengths provide different properties when the surface to be treated is irradiated  Often without drugs or chemicals needed.

• At caries removal all laser energy is absorbed by added water, sprayed on the tooth.
   
• Very short micro-explosions removes the water-rich carious and the healthy part of the tooth can be saved to a large extent. No heat is transformed and the patient do not suffer from the unpleasant drilling vibrations. Your dentist may also choose laser to remove the unwanted enamel.

• Laser supported surgery are successfully performed by different types of suitable laser. If the purpose is to avoid bleeding one type of laser that seals the blood vessels is chosen. If the goal is to carefully and selectively remove diseased soft tissue from healthy, the dentist have the option to choose an other laser type.
   
• Energy of certain wavelengths of laser light is taken up in coloured, pigmented cells. This property is used to kill more disease-creating bacteria. Most out of these bacteria are namely pigmented. Laser light can be transferred into the root canal guided by a narrow light conductive fibre. Light reaches deep into the tooth root wall and there kill aggressive bacteria. This method is also used to treat patients with periodontal problems.

Is laser treatment safe?

Yes, all treatments with lasers in dentistry can be performed completely safe. Like other medical treatment this method require training and good knowledge in the field. Dentists and other attending staff should be trained thoroughly before offering dental laser.
Patients and staff are provided with special protective glasses, as certain wavelengths could damage the eye at a direct hit.
The laser light used in dentistry is composed of wavelengths that are natural in our daily surrounding, found in normal daylight. The difference is that the light is several times more intense and of one colour. With great precision the treatments can safely be performed with predictable results.

Laser supported dentistry in the future

New treatments are being researched constantly, along with a growing knowledge of how laser light and its special characteristics affect different diseases.
In a major EU-funded research project (MiLaDi), the possibility of lasers with ultra-short pulses is tested. One of the aim is to remove unwanted structures of the teeth, gums and jawbone without pain. The lasers can examine, detect what should be removed and then perform a safe treatment without subsequent complications.
However, even today there are well-proven treatments where laser can improve the already good conventional dental care. For more safe, mini-invasive treatments and with a reduced need for chemicals/medicals: anaesthesia, pain relievers, cortisone and antibiotics. And that definitely is a interest for the future.