When we think of lasers, we think of surgery – arthroscopic, orthopedic and others. However, lasers are now being used in many aspects of dentistry including cosmetic laser dentistry and the treatment of disease. This tool has allowed a variety of procedures to be more patient friendly, effective and precise. As research continues, so do the applications.

Lasers are being used on the tooth surface to detect decay, prepare teeth for fillings and to seal the tooth against sensitivity. On the soft tissue (or gums), lasers can remove excess tissue to even out the smile, treat gum disease, or remove growths. They are being applied to whiten teeth and ease TMJ dysfunction pain.

Many of these procedures can be performed without anesthesia and require no sutures. Lasers decrease the risk of post operative infection and bleeding resulting in faster healing.

The use of these precision instruments requires additional training in technique and technology and thus few dentists have pursued the incorporation of lasers fully into practice.

Cosmetic dentistry uses lasers to make customizing a patient’s smile even easier, more precise and more comfortable for the patient. Remember to ask your dentist if cosmetic laser dentistry is an option for the care you want.