Dental lasers, or dental lasers, are a special class of lasers designed and manufactured for dental treatments. These lasers are different from industrial lasers and are considered completely safe. Their rays have specific wavelengths that are different from industrial lasers and do not cause any harm to the patient's gums and mouth. The wavelength of a dental laser is within a specific range and these lasers are divided into two types: hard tissue lasers and soft tissue lasers, each of which has different applications in dental treatments. Therefore, when talking about the use of lasers in dentistry, it means the use of hard and soft tissue lasers.
Review of Types of Lasers in Dentistry
Skilled dentists use either hard tissue or soft tissue lasers based on their treatment needs. Some use both types of lasers when necessary.
Hard tissue lasers are able to penetrate the inner structure of the tooth, and their wavelengths are absorbed by the water and minerals in the tooth. These types of lasers are commonly used to prepare the tooth and create suitable conditions for the use of composite, fill tooth defects, and even remove part of the inner structure of the tooth.
Basic laser dentistry procedures involve two types of soft tissue and hard tissue. Hard tissue refers to the tooth, while soft tissue refers to the gum tissue.Common Hard Tissue Laser Procedures
1. Cavity Detection
Lasers can detect dental cavities at an early stage, allowing for timely intervention and treatment.
2. Tooth Preparation and Cavity Filling
Using lasers reduces the need for local anesthesia and traditional drills. Lasers can eliminate cavity-causing bacteria, enhancing dental health.
3. Treatment of Tooth Sensitivity
Lasers can treat sensitivity to heat and cold by applying treatment to the root surface of sensitive teeth.
Common Soft Tissue Laser Procedures
1. Gummy Smile Treatment
Lasers can help correct a gummy smile, where excessive gum tissue is visible when smiling.
2. Crown Lengthening
This procedure reshapes both the gum tissue and bone to restore the proper structure of the teeth.
3. Treatment of Tongue-Tie (Frenulum Attachment Issues)
Lasers can assist individuals with a thick lingual frenulum, which can cause issues with breastfeeding in infants or speech problems.
4. Removal of Soft Tissue Folds
Without the need for sutures or pain, lasers can eliminate excess soft tissue from irregular tooth structures.
5. Gum Pigmentation Removal
For individuals with naturally dark gums or those affected by smoking, lasers can remove discoloration without surgery, bleeding, or pain.
Additional Laser Dental Procedures
1. Tissue Examination
Using optical coherence tomography, a dentist can examine the inside of teeth and gums.
2. Removal of Benign Tumors
Lasers can remove benign tumors from the roof of the mouth, gums, lips, and cheeks without pain or sutures.
3. Sleep Apnea Treatment
Lasers can reshape the throat tissue to alleviate obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by excessive tissue growth in the throat.
4. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorder Treatment
Lasers help reduce pain and inflammation associated with TMJ disorders.
5. Treatment of Cold Sores
Laser therapy can shorten the healing time and alleviate pain from cold sores.
6. Teeth Whitening
Lasers accelerate the bleaching process in professional teeth whitening treatments.
7. Treatment of Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Since bad breath is often linked to oral bacteria, laser treatment can effectively eliminate the underlying cause without surgery, bleeding, or pain.
Laser applications in dentistry (soft tissue laser)
1. Facilitating orthodontic movements
Orthodontics is one of the most time-consuming tasks in dentistry, usually lasting 1.5 to 2 years. Some people do not undergo orthodontics due to the long duration of this treatment, even those who desperately need this treatment.
By using laser technology in dentistry, it is now possible to accelerate orthodontic movements and, as a result, reduce the duration of this treatment. Of course, it should be noted that the laser does not directly straighten the teeth, but indirectly increases the speed of their movement.
Therefore, the statement that "straightening teeth with a laser" is more of an advertising slogan to attract customers than a scientific fact. Ultimately, using a laser (even indirectly) can reduce the duration of treatment to a limited extent, no more, no less!
People who have little patience and may not want to have fixed orthodontic appliances on their teeth for a long time can reduce their treatment time by having 3 to 4 laser orthodontic treatment sessions. Also, laser dentistry can help advance orthodontic treatment with several other methods.
2. Frenectomy
Frenules are soft structures that are located in various curves of our body and their function is to limit the movements of organs and body parts. These soft structures have other uses in addition to their main function.
Sometimes, due to various reasons, frenums may be larger and bulkier than normal, and this may cause problems. For example, if the frenum of the upper or lower lip is larger than normal, it can cause a gap or diastema between the two front teeth. To solve this problem, the excess frenum is first removed using a laser or a surgical blade. Orthodontics or other methods (such as dental laminates or composite veneers) are then used to completely close the gap. In dental terminology, this process is known as a frenectomy, and today a laser is used instead of a surgical blade to perform a frenectomy.
3.Dental Bleaching
If your teeth are discolored and do not achieve the desired color with the use of a whitening toothbrush and toothpaste, it is recommended to use the teeth bleaching process in the dentist's office (dental bleaching in the doctor's office).
In-office bleaching using a laser (or teeth whitening in the dental office) is a process that uses bleaching chemical compounds (such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) to lighten the teeth.
In this method, after isolating the teeth and ensuring the safety of the gum tissue, a gel containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (in high concentration) is placed on the teeth. This gel alone does not whiten the teeth and requires an external agent (such as light) to activate the whitening properties.
A "light cure" device is mainly used to activate the whitening agents in the gel. But if a soft tissue laser (or diode laser) is also used for this purpose, it is called laser bleaching. Diode laser bleaching is one of the main applications of laser in dentistry that is currently most widely used.
4. Improving gum color (removing dark gums)
You have probably seen people in your life who, despite having light skin, have dark gums. For example, parts of the gums may be brown or black. These large black or brown spots may be caused by taking certain medications, some diseases, genetics, or even a condition called amalgam tattooing.
Until a few years ago, there was no effective treatment for this gum problem and people coped with this issue without any hope. But today, with the use of laser technology in dentistry (soft tissue), black or brown pigments in the gums can be targeted and eliminated.
To remove dark gums, dental laser beams are often used. These beams have a specific wavelength and only affect the abnormal pigment of the gums. If you know someone who is facing this problem, you can talk to them about using lasers in dentistry to solve the problem of dark gums.
5. Using a gum lift or gingivectomy to improve gum hyperplasia
Some of our clients, especially those seeking orthodontic treatment, face the problem of swollen gum tissue. In this case, the swelling of the gums is such that the gums cover the teeth excessively and make it difficult to install orthodontic brackets. This excess gum tissue causes problems in installing the brackets in the right place.
To install brackets and solve this problem, the excess gum tissue must be removed. This procedure is known in dental terminology as "gingivectomy" or "gum lift" or "crown lengthening".
6. The term "laser gummy smile"
Usually, in the restorative and cosmetic department of the clinic, many patients present who do not have problems with crooked teeth or swollen gums. However, when smiling, part of their smile design is formed by gum tissue, and this condition is known as a gummy smile. One of the applications of laser in dentistry for people with a gummy smile is to correct this problem using laser techniques.
For people with a gummy smile, excess gum tissue is usually removed with a laser and the gum line is moved back. This procedure is also known as gum lift, gum contouring or gingivectomy. Laser gummy smile correction is performed to improve the aesthetics of this condition.
7. Shortening the recovery period
As you know, dental implants are known as one of the best ways to replace missing teeth. To perform this procedure, you must first go under the knife to have the implant implanted inside the jawbone.
Before doing this, the gum tissue is cut by the implant specialist so that the implant can be placed in the jawbone with a drill. After installing the implant base in the jawbone, the surrounding gum tissue is cut and sutured. The recovery phase after the suture may also be long and may cause problems.
The use of lasers in dentistry can be effective in reducing the recovery period after implant placement. After implant placement, using a laser, excess gum tissue can be removed or help the gum connect better to prevent infection and bleeding. This speeds up the recovery process for patients.
8. Removal of Soft Tissue Lesions
Canker sores are known as the most common soft tissue problem inside the mouth. These sores usually have a white, clear center with a red or even yellow border. Most people will encounter canker sores at least once in their lives and experience uncomfortable symptoms such as burning, difficulty chewing or speaking. In most cases, canker sores will heal on their own without the need for treatment.
If a person has recurrent and chronic large, uncomfortable canker sores, the use of lasers in dentistry can be considered as an effective management and treatment strategy. Using low-power laser beams, the soft tissue of the sores can be improved and this problem can be controlled to some extent.
9. Reduce Bacterial Accumulation
The use of lasers in general dentistry and in the field of periodontology (gum therapy) can help reduce bacterial accumulation in the periodontal pocket, which is a structure below the gum line and can become a place for bacteria to accumulate. In this method, a laser beam is irradiated to this area before or after the tooth scaling process. This procedure causes a sharp reduction in bacterial accumulation below the gum line, which is especially a cause of gum disease. This method also helps promote a healthy and strong connection of gum tissue and greatly reduces the likelihood of gum disease recurring.
10. Facilitate the repair of Class (V) teeth
The use of lasers in dentistry can help facilitate the repair process of Class V cavities. In this method, the dentist cuts a portion of the gum tissue that is over the Class 5 decay. This action allows the dentist to have the best view and space needed to repair the damaged and decayed tooth. Using a laser at this stage can help to make the cutting operation more precise and also lead to easier repair of Class V caries.
11. Exposure of impacted teeth
The use of lasers in the treatment of impacted or semi-impacted teeth is an effective and bloodless alternative to traditional dental methods. Treatment of these types of teeth is now done with the help of dental lasers. In this method, the laser is used as a precise and painless tool to reveal and adjust impacted or semi-impacted teeth. This method has less bleeding than traditional methods and effectively exposes hidden teeth without the need for surgical surgery.
12. Hard tissue laser
Hard tissue lasers in dentistry are an advanced type of laser technology that is used for some procedures related to the hard tissues of the teeth. These lasers use light beams as a precise tool to continue dental treatments. Below we will mention the 7 main applications of hard tissue lasers in dentistry.
13. Accurate diagnosis of oral and dental problems using laser scanners:
With the advancement of laser technology, special scanners have been designed and manufactured that produce very high-quality 3D images of oral and dental structures. These scanners are capable of displaying a detailed view of the structure of the skull at different stages of human growth and development. 3D images of oral and dental structures help not only dentists but also medical professionals to accurately diagnose problems and provide appropriate treatment plans. These images are very useful in diagnosing orthodontic issues and jaw surgery.
14. Treatment of severe tooth sensitivity with dental laser:
Teeth sensitivity is usually caused by the breakdown of tooth enamel, the layer that makes the tooth sensitive to irritation. By reducing the thickness and continuity of this layer, tooth enamel is broken down and the tooth becomes sensitive to irritation. To help reduce tooth sensitivity, an erbium dental laser is used.
This laser uses light and surface changes to relieve sensitivity and is effective in reducing pain and sensitivity caused by tooth enamel erosion. This method, using a laser, allows dentists to treat these problems precisely and with reduced risks.
15. Facilitating the etching process with a dental laser:
The etching process is one of the important steps in installing a composite dental laminate or veneer, which is performed with the help of a dental laser. In this process, the smooth surface of the tooth enamel is transformed into an irregular and rough surface using a laser. Using a dental laser in etching not only helps to increase the efficiency of this process but also causes less damage to the enamel surface, which increases the effect of etching on the durability of dental materials.
16. Facilitating the filling process with a dental laser:
In restorative dentistry, a dental laser is used as an effective tool to facilitate the filling process of decayed teeth. Using lasers, decay and its margins are removed using laser beams that penetrate the hard tissue. This process carefully prepares the tooth so that filling materials such as amalgam or composite can bond easily. The laser removes decay and its traces from various parts of the enamel and dentin, without damaging the tooth and its pulp.
Dental lasers are a special category of lasers designed and manufactured for dental treatments. These lasers differ from industrial lasers and are considered completely safe and harmless. Their beams have specific wavelengths that are distinct from industrial lasers and do not cause any harm to the patient's gums or mouth.
The wavelength of dental lasers falls within a specific range, and they are classified into two types: hard tissue lasers and soft tissue lasers. Each type has different applications in dental treatments. Therefore, when discussing the use of lasers in dentistry, it refers to the application of both hard and soft tissue lasers.
These two processes are performed using dental laser technology and its advantages and applications are greater than traditional methods.
1. Prevention of tooth decay with laser:
Laser plays an important role in preventing tooth decay. In addition to removing cavities, lasers can also activate and harden dental filling materials. For example, a dental laser can activate dental composite paste in the tooth cavity to become hard and firm. Also, hard tissue lasers such as argon lasers increase the resistance of teeth to decay or even greatly reduce the likelihood of decay due to their ability to change the surface properties of dentin and enamel.
2. Removal of white spots after orthodontics
After removing orthodontic brackets, some people experience white spots on their teeth, which are caused by tooth demineralization. Hard tissue lasers, especially argon lasers, can help remove white spots by reversing demineralization. Using a laser in this case helps restore and improve the aesthetics of the tooth surface after orthodontics.
Facilitating the Root Canal Therapy Process with Lasers
Endodontic treatment or root canal therapy is a widely used procedure in dentistry, which means treating and improving the condition of the tooth root, especially in cases where the pulp is infected. In the traditional method, hand tools and drills are used to access the pulp and eliminate the infection. However, the dental laser is also used as an effective tool in this process.
The use of lasers in endo dentistry (root canal therapy) allows dentists to more precisely access the pulp, eliminate the infection, carve the root canal in a desirable shape, and finally fill the tooth with the appropriate filling material. This method not only improves the treatment performance but also reduces the recovery time due to greater precision and minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.
Types of Dental Laser Devices:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Lasers
These devices are mainly used in soft tissue surgery such as cyst removal, fibroma, and epulis removal.
Diode Lasers
- These devices allow soft tissue surgery with simultaneous blood coagulation.
- Diode lasers have antibacterial properties and are also used in fields such as peri-dental and low-level laser therapy.
Erbium Lasers
- These lasers are the best option for removing dental caries.
- Without the need for local anesthesia, these lasers can be used to eliminate the noise and vibration of dental drills.
-Erbium lasers disinfect tooth enamel and reduce the risk of failed fillings and re-decay.
-These lasers are used as a suitable option for cutting soft and hard tissues in all stages of dentistry.
Conclusion
As a new technology with numerous possibilities, lasers in dentistry have brought many developments in the field of dental care and improved treatment processes.
This technology not only helps in soft and hard tissue surgeries, but is also effective in accurately diagnosing oral and dental problems, severe tooth sensitivity, preventing decay, etching, repairing decay, removing white spots after orthodontics, and even root canal therapy.
With the use of lasers in dentistry, procedures are performed with less pain, more precision, and faster, which leads to a more comfortable experience and faster recovery for patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a dental laser?
Dental laser is an advanced technology that uses laser beams to diagnose, prevent, and treat dental problems. This technology is used in various procedures including surgery, dental restoration, decay removal, orthodontics, and improving symptoms such as tooth sensitivity.
2. How does laser help treat tooth decay?
Dental laser is used as an alternative to traditional methods used to repair tooth decay. These lasers are able to remove decay without removing healthy parts of the tooth, with high precision and without pain.
3. Does the use of lasers in dentistry cause pain or bleeding?
Lasers used in dentistry usually reduce pain and bleeding. Due to their high precision and limited effect on surrounding tissues, this technology avoids the weaknesses associated with pain and bleeding in traditional methods as much as possible.
4. How are lasers used in orthodontics?
Dental lasers are used in orthodontics to remove white spots after braces are removed and to improve the strength of teeth. These lasers usually improve weak spots that appear after orthodontic treatment.
5. Are lasers suitable for people with tooth sensitivity?
Yes, lasers are also used to treat tooth sensitivity. This technology can improve tooth sensitivity by helping to activate materials and surface changes in the tooth.
6. What are the types of lasers used in dentistry?
Different types of lasers are used in dentistry, including carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers for soft tissue surgery, diode lasers for dental surgery and restoration, and erbium lasers for removing decay and improving enamel.
