Diode Laser Soft Tissue Therapy

The laser was first postulated by Albert Einstein in 1916. He suggested at that time, that portions of the electromagnetic field could be stimulated, thus producing amplified light. Thus the acronym LASER, stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Since then, various scientists have brought this technology forward to the point where dental applications were envisioned, and first tested in 1964. Since then, tremendous advancements have occurred, and we are now seeing hard and soft tissue lasers taking their place in dentistry.

Currently, the soft tissue laser has been universally accepted as a tremendous adjunct to soft tissue therapies, providing dentists with an extremely precise, atraumatic method for manipulating oral tissues.

Some commonly asked questions:

1. How does the dental laser work? The laser emits concentrated energy in the form of a light beam. This beam vaporizes matter. The dental laser delivers a narrow pulsed beam and each pulse vaporizes only a specific number of cell layers within the circumference of the beam. This gives the dentist precise control over the laser.

2. Why is the dental laser different than conventional treatment? The dental laser is unique because it can be used as a surgical instrument without some of the routine, but unwanted surgical effects. The laser stops bleeding, and seals lymphatic and nerve endings, thereby by-passing inflammation and the usual discomfort that is associated with inflammation.

To summarize, the dental laser is:

• faster and more efficient in many cases
• essentially painless
• more sterile (laser tip sterilizes itself in operation)
• bloodless in most cases
• less invasive
• precise and conserving of healthy tissue
• safer
• less painful post-operatively

3. Do patients feel pain? The majority of patients report no pain. A few report mild discomfort.

4. Is anesthesia required? Not usually but this varies from patient to patient.

5. Why is pain reduced so greatly? The dental laser delivers pulses of energy too short to trigger a neural response.

6. What are dental applications of the diode laser?

• COSMETICALLY: The diode laser is being used a great deal to cosmetically reshape the architecture of the gums. In many cases we are able to remove portions of tissue that are covering up healthy tooth structure, thereby lengthening the teeth, reducing the amount of gum that shows and thereby enhancing the smile. In other cases, the laser is used to create symmetry, balancing gum tissues that are visually crooked and not level with the horizontal plane.
  
• SOFT TISSUE MANAGEMENT: The laser is also beginning to be used in dental hygiene with great results. The ability of the laser to kill bacteria in periodontal pockets and rid those pockets of sick and infected tissue has enormous potential, not only as a means of arresting the progression of periodontal disease, but as a fast and simple prophylactic.

• DESENSITIZING TEETH: Another breakthrough is the capability to desensitize teeth which is simple and effective.

7. Is the laser safe? Absolutely, in every way, when used with good clinical judgment.

8. Is the laser faster than conventional treatment? Yes and no. Some procedures will go very quickly and some will seem slower. 86% of patients surveyed after treatment with the dental laser considered it to be faster than traditional instruments and preferable for the reasons given above.