What Is Laser Dentistry And How Is It Used?

Team Laser Dentistry, Technology

Capital Kids Dentistry has recently adopted a new piece of technology to help improve children’s dental experience: the Solea Dental Laser. This is an exciting tool for treating your children and we would love to tell you more about it!

New technology emerges all the time. While some technology does not stick around long, other technology shows the potential to be great, even industry changing. Laser dentistry is one of those industry changing technologies.  Lasers make dental procedures less invasive and support faster healing. 

Laser dentistry is currently being used by all types of dentists, including pediatric dentists. It is changing the way kids are experiencing all types of dental procedures, including by making them quicker and easier. 

What is Laser Dentistry?

Laser is actually an acronym, standing for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In a more physical sense, a laser is a thin beam of focused light. Dentists are able to use this beam of light to perform certain dental procedures that we previously used traditional dental tools for. 

Lasers have been an important addition in dentistry. As procedures using a laser do not require local anesthetic - often the hardest part for a child - they make dental procedures more comfortable and less painful. Lasers are also often more precise for working on a targeted area during soft tissue procedures. Additionally, lasers allow for shorter procedures and quicker healing time than many other methods of treatment. Combine this with reduced bleeding and infection risks, laser dentistry provides significant advantages for many procedures. 

How Laser Dentistry Works

Laser dentistry can be used for procedures on both soft, such as gums, and hard tissue, such as teeth. Lasers interact with specific molecules and dentists can use them to effectively do procedures. 

In soft-tissue procedures, a laser can alter or reshape gums. A dentist can also use a laser to reduce the frenulum of a young baby who has trouble breastfeeding or for a child who has a speech impediment. 

In some cases, a dentist can also use a laser to remove tooth decay without anesthesia. This quieter method of cavity removal, without a drill, can be easier for both adults and, most importantly, kids. 

What Procedures Can Utilize Laser Dentistry?

Laser dentistry can do a number of important procedures:

  • Fillings and cavity treatment 
  • Prep work for root canals
  • Gum reshaping or altering
  • Frenulum treatment
  • Remove tooth decay 

Benefits of Laser Dentistry in Pediatrics

There are many benefits of laser dentistry for kids.  Most importantly, for creating a life-long comfort with the dentist, laser dentistry helps remove many of those elements of dentistry that can create fear and anxiety, such as anesthesia and drilling. By being less-invasive, laser dentistry creates a significantly more positive atmosphere, including for treatments.

Other benefits include:

  • Faster healing times - without the need for sutures
  • Reduced risk of infection
  • Less damaging to surrounding tissue
  • Minimally invasive
  • No need for anesthesia

While these perks are wonderful, it is important to note that, depending on the procedure, traditional dental tools and anesthesia may still be necessary. Be sure to talk to your dentist about any risks that may be involved in your child’s specific procedure. 

Learn More About the Benefits of Laser Dentistry at Capital Kids Dentistry

At Capital Kids Dentistry, we want to build a strong foundation for your child’s future oral health. That starts by creating a welcoming, comfortable experience at the dentist. 

Solea dental laser is non-invasive, handles most dental procedures - even without the need for anesthesia. 

Kids are happy. Parents are happy. And we are happy. 

Call us today at 202-545-7200 to learn more about laser dentistry or to schedule an appointment for your child. Or, you can always conveniently request an appointment online.