You probably have heard about laser dentistry either from your dentist or somewhere online, but you didn’t know what it means. You may also be thinking about getting dental laser treatment around Hanford, CA. Fortunately, this article will help you understand more about laser dentistry and the traditional treatment so that you have an idea before you request an appointment with your dentist.
Stick around to know more about the two and their differences. But before we go down to the differences, let us quickly go through laser dentistry and traditional treatments on everything about them.
Laser Dentistry
This is the use of lasers for the treatment of several dental conditions. The word laser stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Dental lasers are used to remove bacteria during root canal procedures and to reshape gums. During dental procedures, the laser emits light energy in a concentrated and narrow beam producing a reaction when it hits a tissue, shaping or removing tissue.
In 1989, laser dentistry became commercially used in clinical dental practice for dental procedures that involved tooth tissue. It provides a more comfortable treatment option for several processes that involve hard and soft tissue. Laser dentistry is used in various procedures such as; treating tooth decay, treating gum disease, treating hypersensitivity, and teeth whitening.
How are Laser Treatments Performed in Hanford, CA?
There are two types of dental procedures used here, that is, hard and soft tissue procedures. Hard tissue consists of the tooth, while soft tissue consists of the gums.
Common Soft Tissue Procedure
They include:
- Treating gummy smiles
- Crown lengthening
- Treating tongue frenulum attachment
- Removal of soft tissue folds
Common Hard Tissue Procedure
They include:
- Cavity detection
- Dental fillings and tooth preparations
- Treating tooth sensitivity
Traditional Treatments
It is also known as drill dentistry because it requires using a drill for most dental procedures, such as root canals. Traditional treatments involve a dental drill which is a small and high-speed drill. It is commonly used to remove decay and shape tooth structure before the insertion of filling. These drills have a wide variety of bit sizes and shapes, each with a specific purpose.
Drill dentistry works just like laser dentistry, but the difference is laser dentistry is way more advanced than it. Over the years, the dental drills have become so powerful, with some of them rotating as much as 800,000 times per minute.
What is the Difference?
Now that we have a clear understanding of the two let us compare the two dentistries.
Pain
When it comes to pain drill dentistry, tends to be more painful compared to lasers. During filling, a dentist’s dr will need to remove the damaged area of the tooth before starting the process. Because they are using a drill, it tends to cause vibrations, which may be painful to some patients. To remove discomfort and ease the pain, a dentist may opt for anesthesia injections.
On the other hand, laser dentistry is pain-free. It is fast and effective as it uses light and heat to perform a wide range of dental lasers. They are easy to control and allow a dentist to painlessly vaporize or cut tissue on contact, eliminating tooth decay and removing soft tissue from your gums. It is less invasive than the traditional method. Anesthesia is not necessary here.
Dental Bleeding
Your oral health is pretty important. So, when you opt to book an appointment with your dentist dr to have drill dentistry, you may also be prepared for blood loss.
But if you opt for a laser dentist, blood loss is minimized since the laser promotes immediate blood clotting by sealing blood vessels. Swelling is also minimized when using lasers.
Recovery
When it comes to recovery, drill dentistry wounds heal, making the tissue regeneration slower. For instance, if you want to remove one of your wisdom teeth using drill dentistry, then a dentist will have to cut your gums open to extract the tooth out. This will, for sure, leave you with a wound that will need time to heal.
For laser dentistry, tissue can regenerate faster than drill dentistry, and minor wounds heal more quickly.
Bacterial Infections
Most patients value their dental care, and a patient who chooses drill dentistry is highly likely to get infections compared to a patient that opts for a dental laser. All the cutting into the gums, the stitches if needed, and the wound incurred may cause an infection if you choose drill dentistry.
Laser dentistry, on the other hand, has reduced the risk of patients getting bacterial infections. This is because the dental laser sterilizes the area, which in turn, the healing process is accelerated, giving no room for bacterial infections.
Accuracy
Drill dentistry may not be accurate and precise as laser dentistry. Anything can go wrong during the dental procedure, but dentists can perform the job with much confidence and preciseness in laser dentistry. It is a more accurate type of method than the traditional one.
Laser Dentistry vs. Traditional Treatment
The question of which form of dental care treatment is better, laser dentistry or traditional treatments, can be difficult to answer. The type that best suits a patient depends on their specific needs and the severity and nature of any given condition. Some aspects may need more consideration before choosing one over another.
You are aware of how the two work. Some people will consider traditional treatment or laser dentistry to be better. As much as it has its disadvantages, it offers quality dental services to patients making it a recommended type of dental procedure to treat various dental problems.
Laser dentistry provides patients with a better experience and quality services whenever they visit the dentist’s office for the service. Even though laser dentistry is mainly associated with cosmetic treatments, it is equally effective for preventative purposes.
Laser Dentistry Costs
Its costs vary based on the type of procedure and laser equipment used. The cost of the laser is much higher than the dental drill. Lasers tend to be more cost-effective as they can be done in fewer sessions.Â
As the saying goes, cheap is expensive. Instead, you’d opt for something expensive to get quality services than choose a cheap one only for you to get disappointed in the outcomes.
Contact Us Today!
Our Hanford dentists, will for sure help you treat your dental problems using the latest technology, ensuring you get long-term oral health. Make sure to call our dental office today and make an appointment and get the best from the best.