Dental practices across the country — and their patients — are enjoying the advantages inherent to laser technology. From early cavity detection to cosmetic treatments, dental lasers are a versatile tool that saves time, lessens discomfort, and dramatically improves the patient experience. If you’re considering investing in a laser for your dental practice, read on for a definitive list of laser dentistry pros and cons.
Pros of Laser Dentistry
The dental laser is a versatile tool that offers a number of benefits to dentists, hygienists, and patients alike.
• More efficient: The dental laser makes dental procedures themselves faster, with fewer follow-up visits afterward. In most cases, laser dentistry reduces pain and discomfort for the patient. Because there is less pressure, patients may not need general anesthesia or anesthetic.
• Minimally invasive: The laser is a very precise tool, allowing a dentist to preserve healthy tissue and tooth material. That makes the laser especially useful for the treatment of dental caries or periodontal disease. Patients who fear the dentist’s drill will find the laser much less intimidating. These tools are smaller and much quieter, and the reduced pain and discomfort helps patients feel more relaxed during treatment.
• Increased precision: Because it’s a single tool, the dental laser can help keep the area sterilized, reducing the risk of bacterial infections. With little trauma caused to the gum, tooth, and surrounding tissue, laser treatments mean minimal bleeding and much faster recovery times.
• Reduced patient anxiety: Soft-tissue lasers and hard-tissue lasers can be used for a wide variety of dental procedures in adult and pediatric patients.Patients who fear the dentist’s drill will find the laser much less intimidating. These tools are smaller and much quieter, and the reduced pain and discomfort helps patients feel more relaxed during treatment.
• Reduced risk of infection: Because it’s a single tool, the dental laser can help keep the area sterilized, reducing the risk of bacterial infections.
• Reduced bleeding and swelling: With little trauma caused to the gum, tooth, and surrounding tissue, laser treatments mean minimal bleeding and much faster recovery times.
Because it’s a single tool, the dental laser can help keep the area sterilized, reducing the risk of bacterial infections.• Versatility: Soft-tissue lasers and hard-tissue lasers can be used for a wide variety of dental procedures in adult and pediatric patients. With little trauma caused to the gum, tooth, and surrounding tissue, laser treatments mean minimal bleeding and much faster recovery times.
• Versatility: Soft-tissue lasers and hard-tissue lasers can be used for a wide variety of dental procedures in adult and pediatric patients.
Cons of Laser Dentistry
As useful as dental lasers are, they have several limitations as well.
• Upfront and maintenance cost: As state-of-the-art technology, dental lasers can be an expensive investment. There are certain procedures that are not suitable for dental lasers, including teeth that have existing fillings, cavities around fillings, and for the removal of defective crowns and bridges. Still, technology is moving quickly, so that may not always be the case.
• Specific limitations: There are certain procedures that are not suitable for dental lasers, including teeth that have existing fillings, cavities around fillings, and for the removal of defective crowns and bridges. Still, technology is moving quickly, so that may not always be the case. There are certain procedures that are not suitable for dental lasers, including teeth that have existing fillings, cavities around fillings, and for the removal of defective crowns and bridges. Still, technology is moving quickly, so that may not always be the case.
The Takeaway
Today’s dental lasers can be used in nearly every aspect of dentistry, and for many practices, the advantages clearly outright the negatives. Dedicated Dental Hygiene is happy to answer any questions you may have as you consider your options. Contact us today to learn more about the dental laser, including Understanding the pros and cons of laser dentistry makes it easier to weigh how a dental laser might help your practice. and Dedicated Dental Hygiene is happy to answer any questions you may have as you consider your options. Contact us today to learn more about the dental laser, including classes and .in-office training and in-office training.