Laser technology had entered the field of dentistry by 1994 itself. The lasers used for dental treatment are not the cold lasers, which are used for treating inflammation, headache, and pain, and also used in phototherapy. Though it is useful in treating many dental problems, laser is yet to be fully accepted by the American Dental Association. The treatment mode does have FDA’s acceptance, but not that of ADA, whose standards appear to be more exacting. ADA is still not fully convinced of the efficacy and safety of using lasers for dental treatment.
However, the technology is being used by some in treating the following problems:
- Tooth decay. Lasers are useful in removing the decayed portion from the tooth and readying the remaining enamel for the fresh filling. It is also useful in hardening the filling.
- Gum problems. For removing bacteria during a root canal treatment, and reshaping gums, lasers are useful.
- Biopsy. For removing a lesion, or any tissue from the mouth, lasers are used. Tissue removal sometimes becomes necessary for cancer testing. Lasers are also effective in the treatment of mouth ulcers.
- Teeth whitening. Some teeth whitening procedures nowadays employ lasers. Whitening is basically done by the application of a bleaching solution on the surface of the teeth, but the action of this peroxide solution is enhanced by employing lasers.
The Working of Lasers
All forms of laser appear as light and provide energy in the way in which it is required for different operations. When used for hardening the tooth filling, the laser binds together the filling and the tooth. During teeth whitening, it acts as a source of heat which increases the activity of the whitening agents. In surgical use, sometimes it functions as a vaporizer for annihilating tissues. At other times it functions as a cutting implement.What Are the Pros and Cons of Using a Laser in Dentistry?
Pros
Compared to the traditional dental drill, lasers:
- May cause less pain in some instances, therefore, reducing the need for anesthesia
- May reduce anxiety in patients uncomfortable with the use of the dental drill
- Minimize bleeding and swelling during soft tissue treatments
- May preserve more healthy tooth during cavity removal
Cons
The disadvantages of lasers are that:
- Lasers can't be used on teeth with fillings already in place.
- Lasers can't be used in many commonly performed dental procedures. For example, lasers can't be used to fill cavities located between teeth, around old fillings, and large cavities that need to be prepared for a crown. In addition, lasers cannot be used to remove defective crowns or silver fillings, or prepare teeth for bridges.
- Traditional drills may still be needed to shape the filling, adjust the bite, and polish the filling even when a laser is used.
- Lasers do not eliminate the need for anesthesia.
- Laser treatment tends to be more expensive since the cost of the laser is much higher than a dental drill. Lasers can cost between $39,000 and $45,000 compared to about $600 for a standard drill.
