Laser Dentistry FAQs

When the laser was first introduced into the medical industry, a world of new possibilities opened. The pinpoint technological features of the laser began to branch into many different fields and practices of health and medicine, and as a result eventually found itself in dentistry. With the introduction of the laser many questions arose, so today I’ll be providing you with some of those questions and answers.

What is a laser?

A laser is a singularly focused beam of concentrated light with a specific wavelength and color. The word laser is an acronym for a much longer technical term known as “Light Amplification Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER).”

What Makes A Laser Different from Sunlight?

Sunlight is composed of a spectrum of white light. White light is divided into seven distinct colors, each with their own wavelength. However, a laser is a single beam, set to a high energy level thus producing only one color of a specific wavelength. It is powerful enough to penetrate living tissues and cells.

How Is A Laser Used in Dentistry?

Lasers are used in 3 main ways in dentistry:

• Disease diagnosis,
• Soft tissue operations such as the tongue, lips, gums,
• Hard tissue operations such as the bone, tooth enamel, and dentin.

Diseases such as tooth decay and gum rot can be treated with precision laser dentistry.

Are Lasers Safe?

Despite their highly powerful technological design, lasers are safe and approved by the FDA. Years of research have been put behind laser technology before the FDA officially approved them. Choosing laser dentistry to resolve a dental issue can cause less bleeding and minimal discomfort. Be sure to consult your dentist if you’re considering laser operations, as there may be other options for your dental procedure that you wish to undergo.