Laser Dentistry

Lasers have been used in dentistry to treat a number of dental problems. In our office, laser dental technology is used to for tooth decay, gum disease, and widely applied for teeth whitening.

Tooth Decay

It is utilized to clean up decay within a tooth and have the surrounding enamel prepared for receipt of the filling. For some cases, it is also used to cure or harden a filling.

Gum Disease

During root canal procedures, lasers are used to reshape gums and clean up bacteria.

Teeth Whitening

Lasers effectively shorten the time for the teeth whitening procedures, as the peroxide bleaching solution applied to the tooth surface is activated by the lasers.

How does it work?

During the process, lasers deliver energy in the form of light.

For whitening procedures, the laser beam acts as a source of heat and thus intensifying the effect of tooth bleaching agents.

For surgical procedures, the lasers perform as a cutting instrument or a vaporizer of the tissue that is being contacted.

For curing a filling, the lasers assist the process of strengthening the bond between the filling and the tooth.

Why it might be good for you:

It may cause less pain in some cases, therefore it may reduce anxiety for patients that are uncomfortable with dental drilling. It may also minimize bleeding and swelling for procedures that involve treating soft tissues.

However, there are few issues to consider:

Laser technology is only available for selected dental procedures— for instance it cannot be used to fill cavities found between teeth. Moreover, it may not be used to remove defective crowns or silver fillings. Laser is not applicable on teeth with fillings that are already in place. It has a higher price tag when it is compared to traditional dental drill.

Feel free to consult with our San Jose Dentist, or let our staff tell you more about the procedures and cost of the laser treatments.