While traditional dentistry techniques remain popular, laser technology is on the rise
For the millions of people each year who dread going to the dentist, a solution has arrived.
Through the advancement in dental technology, a new form of dentistry is emerging — laser dentistry. Using laser technology for oral health has been around for a while now, but it is just now taking off as a mainstream source for taking care of your teeth.
Initially approved by the FDA in the 90s for gum-related procedures, there are still only a few dentists who offer this service in Minnesota and nationally. But that number is sure to increase, as the American Dental Association (ADA) remains optimistic about the role of laser technology in the field of dentistry.
“There are many benefits to using laser dentistry as opposed to traditional methods, including minimizing the possibility of infections, decreasing swelling and bleeding, and allowing our patients to experience less pain,” says Dr. Jason McDowell of Wayzata Dental, an oral health provider that specializes in minimally invasive procedures using laser technology.
Laser dentistry techniques are used for treatments of tooth decay, gum disease, teeth whitening, fillings, desensitizing teeth, and more. One of the key differentiating points is the fact that you may encounter less pain or irritation while undergoing a procedure using technology. In addition, when compared to traditional dental drills, lasers minimize bleeding and swelling during soft tissue treatments, and can help to preserve healthier teeth during cavity removals all-in-all, this technology is helping to create better, more comfortable, and healthier visits to the dentist.
“We focus on making sure that our clients have a positive experience when they visit the dentist, especially when it comes to more than just a teeth cleaning,” continues McDowell, “Using laser dentistry, we can accomplish this, and our patients really appreciate this.”
While the number of practices that currently employ this type of technology in their services is limited, you can expect to see that number of increase over the next 5-10 years. Those that do embrace this technology are showing that they are not only ahead of the curve in terms of best dental practices, but are also putting their patients’ needs front and center when it comes to their services.
