Have you ever cringed at the thought of visiting the dentist because you dislike how treatment feels? Scalpels and other instruments can be a bit intimidating! The good news is that dental technology has come a long way in recent years. In fact, many practices now use soft tissue lasers. What is a soft tissue laser, and how might it benefit you? This blog post explains.
Soft Tissue Lasers: The Basics
Simply put, a laser is a highly concentrated beam of light. There are many types of lasers that can be used in dentistry and medicine. Often, dental practices use soft tissue lasers, which are meant to be used on the gums and other soft oral tissues (as opposed to the hard tissues, such as the teeth).
A few common applications of soft tissue lasers include:
- Gum disease treatment. A laser can be used to remove diseased tissue and kill harmful bacteria in the pockets between the teeth and gums. This can rid the mouth of dangerous infections and contribute to improved oral and overall health.
- Gum contouring. If you have extra gum tissue that is interfering with your oral health or adversely affecting the way your smile looks, a soft tissue laser can be used to precisely trim your gums. This can make your teeth look longer and create more room for crowns and other types of restorations.
Benefits of Soft Tissue Lasers
Of course, gum disease treatment and gum contouring can be performed without soft tissue lasers. However, laser-based treatment offers some distinct advantages:
- Precision. Lasers are very precise, meaning that they cause little to no damage to untargeted tissues.
- Minimal bleeding. Lasers cauterize as they move, so they can greatly reduce bleeding during surgical procedures.
- Comfort. Compared to treatments performed with a traditional scalpel, laser procedures tend to be very comfortable, during both treatment and recovery.
- Very low risk of infection. Lasers are very efficient at killing bacteria, so they pose almost no risk of infection.
- Ideal for patients with dental anxiety. The gentle nature of lasers makes them a wonderful instrument for patients who struggle with a degree of dental anxiety.
Soft tissue dental lasers are truly remarkable! Ask your dentist if you would like to learn more about them.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Helen Harless and our team at Southwest Dental Arts are proud to offer truly state-of-the-art care to patients in our community. With our soft tissue laser, we are able to provide precise and comfortable gum treatments, including gum disease therapy and gum contouring. To learn more about us or the technology we use, contact our Boise office at 208-322-5655.