Laser Dentistry

The most important advantage that lasers have is that they can make many procedures more comfortable than they would be using traditional dental techniques. This is especially important for nervous patients who are uncomfortable with the typical sounds & sensations of some dental treatments.

Though the mention of lasers may bring to mind science fiction space battles, these days lasers are part of our everyday lives, from barcode scanners to concert light shows, & from manufacturing automation to dental care. Lasers are one of the most powerful leading edge technologies that can be used in a variety of dental diagnostic & treatment procedures to improve patient comfort & results. We’ve adopted laser technology at our office in order to provide more efficient treatment & to make even the most nervous patients more at ease.

Lasers have been around since the 1960s & have been used in dentistry since the early 1990s. Laser tools for dentists are constantly improving & being refined with patient comfort & efficient treatment in mind. Dental professionals & researchers frequently find new & useful ways to apply the power of lasers to oral health. We stay informed about the latest advances so we can determine which technologies to incorporate into our practice. We are specially trained in the laser dentistry procedures we offer currently & will use lasers when it is appropriate for your dental care.

What is Laser Dentistry?

LASER is actually an acronym that stands for Light Amplification through Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Put more clearly, lasers work by exciting a particular molecule so it emits a photon, or light particle. This light energy is then focused into a precise beam, which can change the state of whatever it touches. In many cases, lasers eliminate the need for scalpels, drills, anesthesia & reduce post-procedure discomfort & healing times.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Changing the wavelength of the laser light changes the power of the laser. In dentistry, the lowest wavelengths are used to help see imperfections in teeth (such as cavities), scan the shape of teeth to create digital impressions, or to set composite materials for repairs such as fillings. Slightly higher wavelengths are used on soft tissues, such as your gums. The strongest wavelengths are used in the place of drills on hard tissues, such as the enamel or dentin layers of teeth. There are very fews parts of dentistry that lasers have not touched. For example, lasers may be used in root canals, gum disease treatment, cavity detection, tooth whitening & to set & harden restorative materials, such as crowns.

Laser Bacterial Reduction

Periodontal disease & gingivitis are prevalent in over 80% of adults. Fortunately, our understanding of this disease has increased greatly over the last few years.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection in the pockets around the teeth. The disease is treated by removing plaque/tartar & diseased tissue at your regular cleaning appointment, but we also want to address the underlying infection that causes periodontal disease. We recommend that our patients have laser bacterial reduction (LBR) done at their cleaning appointments to help prevent further issues in the future.

Here are four major reasons why we recommend laser bacterial reduction: 

  1. Reduces or eliminates bacteria. During the normal cleaning process, most patients will have some areas that bleed. This can allow bacteria present in all of our mouths to flood into the bloodstream, where it sometimes settles in weakened areas of our body, such as a damaged heart valve or artificial joint. Research has linked these oral pathogens to a number of other diseases, including cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, low birth weight & diabetes. Needless to say, anything that we can do to reduce or eliminate the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream is a benefit for our patients. Laser bacterial reduction is one of the best ways to do that!
  2. Helps reverse the damage of periodontal disease. The laser helps stimulate the cells that lead to bone & gum tissue growth. If you have extensive bone & attachment loss from periodontal disease, laser treatments can help you gain back bone & gum tissue.
  3. Helps prevent periodontal disease from getting worse. Laser bacterial reduction can stop infections before they cause destruction or loss of attachment around your teeth. The fresh feeling of having your teeth cleaned will also last longer with laser treatment!
  4. It is practically painless. Your satisfaction is important to us, & laser treatment is very comfortable!

What you need to know about LBR: 

  • Laser bacterial reduction is affordable! We want you to be able to get the preventive care you need, so treatment is only $89 in our office.
  • The laser bacterial reduction process is painless & normally takes just three to five minutes.

We highly recommend that you take advantage of this service as part of your routine cleaning. Feel free to ask our staff any questions you might have at your next appointment!

Appointments Available Until 7pm & on Saturdays!


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