The laser enables drilling in the tooth without contact, i.e. without the unpleasant vibration and heat development of a drill. This means less to no pain when removing caries. This means that it is often even possible to dispense with anaesthesia and still remain pain-free in most cases. Especially children and patients who suffer from the so-called “dentist’s fear” or fear of the drill can choose a modern, gentle and painless treatment of modern dentistry with the laser. In addition, the laser removes caries very selectively from the tooth and leaves healthy tooth substance. As a result, we can work much more gently with the laser than with the drill in our practice, which of course also benefits you.
Laser is a beam of bundled, high-energy light. What makes the laser so valuable for dentistry is that you can regulate it to a specific wavelength. This allows the dentist to reach a desired target tissue precisely without affecting the surrounding structures. At our office we work with two combination devices that use two important wavelengths. The LightWalker AT from Fotona is one of the best devices in the market. It allows us through the two types of lasers Erbium-Yag (Wavelength 2940nm) and Nd-YAG (wavelength 1064nm) diverse applications. The first wavelength (2940nm, erbium) is used for the removal of hard and soft tissue (known as ablation). We apply it for fillings, periodontal diseases, dental veneers and in oral surgery. Hard tissue is enamel, dentine and bone. Soft tissue includes the gums and the mucous membrane. The second wavelength (neodymium-YAG laser) is used for bacterial decontamination in root and gum treatments.
In addition, we have the A.R.C. Fox, a diode laser with the wavelength of 810nm. This wavelength is ideal for low-level laser therapy (LLLT), biomodulation for wound healing and pain therapy, and for photodynamic therapy with Emundo.
Further applications for the laser
Here our laser has several advantages. It starts with the initial treatment session when we apply a photodynamic laser. Dealing with the periodontitis starts after that. With the help of the laser we first remove diseased tissue in a gentle and painless manner. Then we make use of its antibacterial function to clean the affected periodontal pockets and prevent the spread of germs via the blood. Afterwards, using the laser, the dentist cleans and remodels the soft tissue of the pockets, as well as the diseased hard tissue. In addition to mechanical root cleaning the tissue-sparing and bacteria-killing characteristics of the laser are a very effective weapon in the fight against gum disease. Another benefit of laser is the regenerative biostimulation of the tissue at the end of the treatment which initiates a rapid healing process.
This benefit is proprietary to all lasers. However, the LLLt (Low level Laser therapy) that we use, in particular speeds up wound healing after extraction and other oral surgeries. This effect has been proved in repeated studies and is due mainly to the improved oxygenation in the cells by mitochondria.
To get more in-depth information about gum treatment and laser we recommend systematic periodontal treatment and photodynamic therapy with EmunDo®..
Traditional root canal treatment has a fundamental flaw. Namely the insufficient penetration of the disinfectant rinse solutions into the root canal system. Bacteria can survive long after drilling where they can cause a reoccurrence of the inflammation even years after the original root canal treatment. That is because they enter the tooth structure to greater depths than are visible from the outside. A latent infection puts stress on the immune system over time, even without the typical signs of swelling and pain, as the body is continuously fighting an ongoing infection.
Laser-assisted root canal treatment is well researched and it is efficient. We use both available wavelengths of our laser for this treatment: the first (2940nm with the Erbium laser) is used for extensive cleaning of the root system. This is done by activating a rinse solution placed in the tooth by the dentist. A special fiber causes a photo acoustic shockwave that carries the rinsing solution into the often complex channel system of the root. Tissue residues are completely removed from the root canal. Before sealing the cavity a deep decontamination with the Nd-YAG laser (the second wavelength) takes place. The dentinal tubules act like fine light guides for the laser beam so that it can deeply penetrate and sterilize the root canal system.
Many people suffer from sensitive teeth. This can be deducted from the growing market of special toothpastes that promise a quick remedy. While there are good toothpastes out there, they still require time and continuous use for their active ingredients to work. Sensitivity is caused by open dentinal tubules. Various thermal and chemical stimuli cause a movement of the so-called dentinal fluid which in turn irritate the nerves.
At the tooth neck there is a layer of hard connective tissue called cementum just below the enamel which covers the tooth crown. This cementum is delicate and can be eroded away if you scrub too harshly. The dentist can seal the exposed dentinal tubules with a laser so that the movement of the fluids can no longer take place This laser treatment is painless and takes effect immediately.
Laser treatment speeds up healing time and eliminates the usual symptoms of oozing, itching and pain.
The laser works most effectively if used BEFORE an outbreak in the so-called prodromal phase, when the skin starts to feel sensitive and itchy, before blisters are even visible. People who suffer from herpes may recognize these signs at an early stage and should seek treatment in time. Applying laser treatment in those stages means an outbreak can usually be prevented.
The good news is, whether the herpes blisters are already visible or not, something can be done to promote healing, reduce the rate of recurrences and even eliminate outbreaks completely.
Other annoyances are aphthous ulcers – benign, but painful sores on the oral mucosa. Treatment is the same (the two diseases are very similar in their manifestations). No anesthesia is necessary, as the treatment is painless.