Just How Are Lasers Used in Dentistry

As kids, our only encounter of lasers in science fiction movies was seeing uses as weapons. They’ve always had practical application in our lives, though; we never knew that. Today, for a number of different tasks and functions, we depend on lasers. 

Advances in the medical and dental sciences have even allowed them to be used as treatment instruments. Yet even with our increased familiarity with laser technology, it’s still difficult for many to understand how it can be used by your general dentist to help treat gum and teeth problems. 

Brushing Often Is Not Enough

Despite your best efforts to keep your smile plaque-free, we are all keeping the bacteria at bay that cause gum and periodontal illness. A solid dental routine may help prevent it from becoming a concern, but factors such as hormonal changes or genetic predisposition may still risk developing it.

The bacteria produce pockets of diseased tissue once it holds in. Such pockets will eventually grow if left untreated to attack external structures, including the tissue and bone that links your teeth into your jaw. 

Where Lasers Benefit Dentists

Because of the accuracy to which laser beams can be tuned, they themselves are incredibly effective tools to fight gum disease. That’s because clinicians like Dr. Andres R. Sanchez are only allowed to treat the diseased areas, leaving the healthy tissue around untouched. 

 Not only does this destroy the decaying area, but it also helps to promote the growth of newer, healthier tissue in its place.

Yet gum disease is not the only condition that laser gum surgery in Prairie, Minnesota can be used as a tool to treat. It has also proven effective at solving other dental problems, such as:

• Halting the spread of tooth decay
• Whitening teeth
• Removing lesions or collecting samples to biopsy

A dentist like Dr. Sanchez will tell you that Prairie, Minnesota laser gum dentistry is not something to be feared, it is something to be celebrated instead. For more information on this and the other dental services that we offer at PerioWest, contact our Prairie, Minnesota offices to schedule an appointment to speak with Dr. Sanchez.