Laser Dentistry

Laser technology is one of the most exciting innovations in dentistry over the last few decades. It allows us to practice dentistry without the discomfort of cutting, stitching, scraping, or the shrill sound and vibration of the dental drill. Laser dentistry can be used on both teeth and gums as a surgical tool, but also to vaporize decayed or diseased tissue, remove infection, enhance the work of bleaching agents, and more. Healing times with laser dentistry are usually much faster, too!

Laser Dental Cleanings

We get it. The sharp tools and scraping are the “no fun” part of your dental cleaning. Fortunately, laser dentistry lets us do all that work with a laser instead. Lasers can find and disintegrate buildup that used to require scraping. While traditional dental tools can cause swelling, bleeding, and discomfort, laser dentistry cleanings can bypass healthy tissue altogether for ultra-precise cleaning without the unpleasantness.

Laser Fillings

Hate the drill? So does everyone! It’s a good thing we can use laser dentistry technology to remove decay from a tooth and prepare the surrounding enamel for your tooth-colored filling. No pointy dental tools required. Patients usually need less anesthesia, plus healing is faster. Laser dentistry makes the whole filling experience more relaxed.

LANAP^® Gum Disease Treatment

Periodontal (gum) disease is caused by infection below the gum line. In the past, treating gum disease meant sharp tools and invasive techniques to treat the physical symptoms rather than the infection itself. Today, a laser can gently, intelligently eliminate the infection at the bacterial level. Laser dentistry does so very precisely, leaving healthy tissues intact for a healthier oral environment and much faster healing.

Root Canal & Frenectomy

A root canal removes infection from an adult tooth. Frenectomy is the term for a pediatric root canal.

Either way, it isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time, but with laser dentistry we can vastly improve the experience. Lasers provide conservative, careful infection removal, allowing us to save the tooth with less downtime and discomfort than the same procedure performed with traditional tools and methods.

Esthetic Crown Lengthening

Laser dentistry is the most modern method for esthetic crown lengthening. Crown lengthening reshapes excess gum tissue and bone for healthier tooth structure, creating an optimal environment for placing tooth restorations. Recontouring gum tissue to expose more tooth surface can ensure a strong foundation for a crown, which is a critical component of many dental procedures such as root canals, bridges, and implants. Crown lengthening is also done for cosmetic reasons, exposing more tooth surface for a more even gum line or less “gummy” smile.

Laser Gum Contouring

Also called laser gum resurfacing, gum contouring reshapes the look of your teeth. Similar to crown lengthening, gum contouring makes teeth appear more even. It can also repair tooth chips or worn bite surfaces. At Twiss Dental, we use laser dentistry to “polish” tooth enamel–the only part of the tooth that is touched. Any tissue cuts made by the laser are immediately cauterized, and there is usually no need for any pain medication during the procedure.