What Is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry uses focused beams of light to assist with various dental procedures. Though it has been around since the mid-1990s, it still isn’t part of everyday treatment in most dental offices. The technology is FDA-approved, but it has not yet received the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance as a substitute for more traditional methods. That seal helps reassure dental professionals that a tool meets established safety and effectiveness standards. Even so, the ADA has expressed cautious optimism about where laser technology might go in the future.
How Lasers Are Used in Dentistry
Dental lasers are not the same as the low-level, cold lasers used to reduce joint pain or inflammation. Instead, these tools use concentrated light energy to perform targeted tasks in the mouth. Depending on the setting and purpose, a laser can cut through tissue or amplify the action of a whitening product. Dentists who use them typically work with one of two categories: hard tissue lasers for teeth or soft tissue lasers for gums and other oral structures.
Here are a few ways they’re being used in dental care:
- Cavity treatment – Lasers can remove decayed portions of a tooth and help prepare the surface for a filling.
- Gum therapy – In some cases, lasers are used to reshape gum tissue or kill bacteria during periodontal treatment.
- Biopsy and lesion removal – Lasers may be used to remove small bits of tissue for testing or to treat mouth sores.
- Teeth whitening – Some in-office whitening systems include a laser to activate the bleaching gel and accelerate the process.
How It Works
Lasers function by delivering energy through a beam of light. That energy behaves differently based on how it’s applied. During surgical procedures, the laser acts like a cutting tool or a tissue vaporizer. In whitening treatments, the light boosts the chemical reaction in the bleaching agent by adding heat. The result is faster results or more precision, depending on the procedure.
Advantages of Laser Dentistry
Compared to a traditional drill, lasers offer a few benefits:
- Some patients report less discomfort, which may reduce the need for anesthesia in certain procedures.
- They can help reduce anxiety for those who dislike the sound or sensation of a drill.
- Laser treatments may cause less bleeding and swelling when working with soft tissue.
- In certain cases, more of the healthy tooth structure can be preserved during cavity removal.
What to Keep in Mind
Despite the promise of lasers, there are still limits. They cannot be used on teeth that already have fillings and are not suitable for removing crowns or preparing teeth for bridges. They’re also not ideal for treating large cavities or those between teeth. Even when a laser is used, a drill may still be needed for shaping, bite adjustments, or final polishing.
Laser systems also come at a high cost. While a basic dental drill may cost a few hundred dollars, lasers can run into the thousands or even over six figures, depending on their capabilities. This means that locations that use lasers for dental treatment are still limited.