Laser Dentistry
Laser technology has been one of the most exciting advancements in dentistry over the past few decades, allowing us to practice dentistry without cutting, sewing, scraping, or the loud vibrations of the dental drill (and not one patient has told us they miss that sound). Lasers treat both hard and soft tissues (hard tissue means teeth, and soft tissue means gums).
Lasers create energy in the form of light, but their specific purpose varies with each dental procedure that uses them. They function as a surgical tool, enhance the effects of the bleaching agents, vaporize diseased or decayed tissue, remove infection, assist with diagnostics, and much more. Their quiet operation alleviates patient anxiety, and without traditional incisions, healing times are usually much faster, often with longer-lasting effects and increased patient comfort.
We do a lot of cool stuff with lasers!
Want to know more? Get in touch with Twiss Dental today.
Laser Dental Cleanings
Rather than sharp tools that remove plaque and tartar by scraping it from teeth, lasers can locate and disintegrate that buildup from your teeth and around the gum line. Traditional dental cleaning tools can irritate gum tissue—causing swelling, bleeding, and discomfort—but laser cleanings have the capability to bypass healthy tissue altogether for precise, no-fuss cleaning.
Laser Fillings
Laser technology can also be used to remove areas of decay from a tooth and prepare surrounding enamel for placement of a beautiful tooth-colored filling. As with laser cleanings, laser fillings don’t require pointy dental tools that can irritate or break the skin, requiring less anesthesia, faster healing times, and a more relaxed experience in our office.
Gum Disease Treatment with LANAP®
Periodontal (gum) disease is caused by infection under the gum line, so traditional treatments meant sharp tools, invasive techniques, and treatment of the physical symptoms of gum disease, not the infection causing it. Lasers are not just gentle, they’re also “smart”, with the ability to eliminate infection at the bacterial level while leaving healthy tissues intact. Following laser gum disease treatment, a healthier oral environment remains.
Root Canal & Frenectomy
A root canal removes an infection from an adult tooth, while a frenectomy is the dental terminology for a pediatric root canal. Lasers can be used for conservative, careful removal of infection from damaged teeth in need of these treatments, allowing Twiss Dental to save the tooth with less downtime and discomfort than root canal and frenectomy procedures performed with the more traditional tools and methods of the past.
Esthetic Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening reshapes both excess gum tissue and bone for healthier tooth structure, creating an optimal environment for restorations to be placed on the teeth. Recontouring gum tissue to expose more tooth surface can secure a strong foundation for placement of a crown restoration—a crown must be able to be firmly affixed to the tooth being restored. Crowns are a component of many dental procedures, including bridges, root canals, and dental implants. Crown lengthening is also cosmetic, exposing more tooth surface to even out a gum line or correct a “gummy” smile.
Laser Gum Contouring
Laser gum contouring, also called laser gum resurfacing, is a method of reshaping the teeth. Very similar to crown lengthening, gum contouring is performed to make teeth appear more even or to repair tooth chips and worn biting surfaces. Twiss Dental uses a laser to “polish” the tooth enamel, which is the only part of the tooth that is touched. Any cuts in the tissue made by a laser are cauterized immediately and there is usually no need for pain medication during the procedure.