As in many other industries, lasers are bringing exciting advances to the world of dentistry. If you live in Buffalo, New York, or the nearby area, we can provide state-of-the-art laser dentistry to you and your family.
In ways never before possible, Forestream Dental can treat your dental problems quickly, with less pain and faster healing times. He can detect cavities earlier and with that earlier detection, provide more conservative treatment.
Advantages of Lasers in Dental Surgery
Lasers are so much more accurate than traditional methods of using a scalpel or a drill in dental surgery. With the lasers we use for surgical procedures at Forestream Dental, there is now:
- Little or no need for anesthesia for some procedures
- Less bleeding
- Less swelling
- Little to no postoperative discomfort
- Faster healing
- Reduction or elimination of bacteria
- Opportunity for Forestream Dental to preserve more bone and tooth
Uses of Lasers in Dentistry
The use of lasers in dentistry is far-reaching and touches just about every aspect of dentistry. We use lasers for surgery, in:
Below are some of the most common procedures in which we use lasers at Forestream Dental:
- Cavity removal
- Teeth whitening
- To harden bonding materials
- Periodontal treatment
- Removing bacteria
- Reshaping gum lines
- TMJ treatments
- Early detection of cavities
- Treatment of sleep apnea and/or snoring
- Biopsies
How Does Laser Dentistry Work?
Laser devices are made to work through the delivery of specific wavelengths of light. Dental lasers may act as a cutting instrument, vaporizing tissue and cauterizing it at the same time to minimize bleeding. A dental laser may also be used to whiten the teeth, detect cavities, and also destroy the bacteria that can lead to infection in the gums.
What Conditions can Laser Dentistry Treat?
Dental lasers are designed to treat hard or soft tissue. Those that can address hard tissue, your teeth, are commonly used for cavity detection. Our DIAGNOdent laser, for example, is a gentle, non-probing method of finding areas of enamel that have become soft due to decay. Soft-tissue lasers are used as an alternative to a scalpel in minor surgical procedures such as periodontal treatment.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Laser Dentistry?
If you require some form of restorative or cosmetic dental treatment, you may be a good candidate for laser dentistry. The type of laser Forestream Dental may suggest would depend on various factors, such as the type of work you need to have done and also your overall oral health. It is important to seek care from a dentist who has obtained a high level of training in laser dentistry to determine if this type of treatment is appropriate for your needs.
Can Laser Dentistry Improve the Appearance of a “Gummy” Smile?
Yes, lasers are commonly used to enhance the appearance of the "gummy" smile! Having excessive gum tissue can make your teeth look smaller and out of proportion with your gums and lips. Historically, gum reshaping, also referred to as gum contouring, was performed using a surgical scalpel. Using a laser, Forestream Dental reduces the amount of gum tissue covering the front teeth, revealing the appropriate amount of tooth surface to enhance the appearance of your smile.
What is Recovery Like After Laser Treatment?
If you receive laser dental treatment, you can expect to receive clear aftercare instructions based on the procedure that you have had done. Generally, soft tissue laser procedures may require a few days to a few weeks of special care. For the first 24 to 48 hours, this may include rinsing your mouth with warm salt water every few hours. This helps remove debris and also soothe the area of inflammation. You should brush twice a day after your laser procedure but may need to take extra time to reach all of the areas of your mouth without disrupting the gums that have been treated. Tiny blood clots may form on the gums after the procedure and these need to be protected from disruption. Once the blood clots have naturally resolved, you can resume brushing and flossing as you normally would.
Laser dentistry is advantageous due to the minimal bleeding that occurs as compared to traditional surgical techniques. While potential bleeding is controlled before you leave the office, it is possible that you might experience subtle oozing after your procedure. This would occur only in the first few hours of your recovery. To minimize bleeding and swelling, we suggest that you sleep with your head elevated. Also, avoid putting pressure on your cheeks and lips for about one week. For example, do not drink through a straw and avoid smoking and vaping.
Are There Foods I Should Avoid Eating After Laser Treatment?
It is important not to dislodge the tiny clots that form on the gums after laser treatment. These are necessary for healing. To preserve them, you must avoid excessive chewing. You can help your gums heal by consuming foods that require little chewing or no chewing. Examples include yogurt, smoothies, pudding, broth or soup with soft noodles, applesauce, and soft eggs. After one week, you may begin to eat soft-cooked vegetables, chicken, and fish. Until your gums have healed completely, it is necessary to avoid all crunchy and chewy foods. Examples include steak and hamburger, raw vegetables and salad, hard bread, popcorn, and chips. We want your recovery from laser dental treatment to go as smoothly as possible! If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
The laser dentistry industry is constantly creating new technologies so that we can provide better services to you. As the technology continues to develop, we will continue to evaluate which products will make dental care faster and easier for you, our patients.
If you're interested in learning more about laser dentistry, continue on to our Read More page. If you're ready to come and meet us in person, call or email us today to schedule a complimentary consultation. All of us here at Forestream Dental are excited to meet you! Contact our dentist if you are in the Buffalo, Amherst, Lancaster, or Williamsville, New York area.
