Laser technology has transformed the healthcare landscape in several ways. Lasers are used to treat wounds, perform some surgeries, and even improve the appearance of skin. Now, you can experience laser dentistry, too.

At Santa Monica Bay Dental in Santa Monica, California, we understand that many people have anxiety and even phobia when it comes to sitting in the dentist’s chair. But our team of highly qualified dental professionals knows how important it is to get proper oral care, and that’s just one of the reasons we offer laser dentistry.

Light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation: LASER

What do you think of when you imagine a laser? It’s probably not a precisely focused beam of energy that can be used to perform dental procedures!

Depending on many factors, such as the exact wavelength of energy a laser uses, whether that energy pulses and many other technical specifications, lasers can be used to treat a number of oral issues. At Santa Monica Bay Dental, we use the Solea® Dental Laser to perform laser dentistry.

Lasers have been used in dentists’ offices since 1994 but have been updated and improved since then. The laser can be used to perform several dental procedures.

Laser procedures

Quite a few laser procedures don’t even require anesthetic. For example, we can painlessly change your gums’ shape with laser technology. Gum surgery, dental fillings, and several other procedures don’t require anesthesia when performed with a laser.

In some laser procedures, you may need anesthesia, but still feel more comfortable than during procedures performed with traditional tools. For example, if the sound of the drill is upsetting for you, a laser procedure may be less stressful because there is no drill to hear.

The Solea laser can be used to locate cavities and to rid your tooth of bacteria and decay, all without the use of a drill or other intimidating tools.

Benefits

In addition to removing the need for anesthesia in many instances and easing dental anxiety by removing many of the things that make dental care frightening for some people, laser dentistry has other benefits. For example, when you have a laser procedure, there’s less bleeding, which reduces the need for sutures.

The risk of infection is also lower with laser dentistry because the laser sterilizes as it works. Also, lasers are extremely precise, so there’s less chance of surrounding tissue being damaged during a procedure.

Curious?

Would you like to learn more about laser dentistry or find out if a procedure you need might be done with laser technology? We would be delighted to answer your questions! Book an appointment online.