“I would highly recommend Dr. Torti and Dr. Edwards for anyone who’s looking for a dentist. Whether they’re new to the area or they’ve been here for a number of years and just want to come to a nice, friendly place.”
– Peggy, Current Patient
Laser Dentistry in Franklin, Tennessee
The Pros and Cons of Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry has been used in the treatment of several dental problems since 1994. Dentists use lasers for various procedures that include:
- Biopsy or lesion removal: removing a small piece of tissue to be examined for cancer. Lasers are also used to relieve the pain of canker sores and remove lesions in the mouth.
- Gum contouring: used to reshape gum contours.
- Root Canals: minimally invasive treatment and decontamination of infected teeth.
- Gum disease: used to remove bacteria during root canal procedures and reshape gums.
- Tooth decay: used to remove decay within a tooth, thereby preparing the enamel for the filling medium.
Here is a snapshot of the advantages and disadvantages of laser dentistry:
Disadvantages
- Cannot be used to remove silver fillings, defective crowns, or prepare teeth for bridges
- Doesn’t eliminate the need for anesthesia
- Traditional drills may still need to be used for “finishing,” such as shaping the filling, adjusting the bite, and polishing the filling evenly
Advantages
- Reduces the need for anesthesia
- Minimize bleeding and swelling during soft tissue treatments
- Reduce stress in patients who fear the dentist’s drill
How Lasers Work
All lasers work in the same manner—by delivering energy in the form of light. In dental and surgical procedures, a laser is a cutting tool and a vaporizer of any tissue that it comes in contact with.
An intense beam of light energy is used to perform precision dental procedures. Dentists can easily control and eliminate decay in teeth, cut or vaporize tissue on contact, and remove the soft tissue from gums. Blood loss is minimal due to the cauterization by the laser beam, drastically reducing recovery time and the need for pain killers. Lasers also prevent bacterial re-infection due to the sterilizing of the surrounding tissues.
What Does Laser Dentistry Feel Like?
Laser dentistry is relatively painless—you may experience some light pressure or a cold sensation during the treatment. A topical anesthetic may also be used.
At the Tennessee Centers for Laser Dentistry, we have utilized laser tech since 2007 and are proud of our state-of-the-art Lightwalker® Laser, our high-tech dental laser system. Lasers allow us to do several procedures without shots or drills and with less pain, providing you with the highest level of care.
Conventional gum disease treatment is highly invasive. It involves cutting the gums and often requires an extended recovery time. Lightwalker® uses laser light between the gum and tooth, removing and preventing the bacterium that causes periodontitis.
Benefits of Lightwalker®
The two most significant benefits provided by Lightwalker® treatment are the fast-healing time and the low discomfort level. Laser dentistry is a minimally invasive procedure requiring significantly less healing time—and no tissue is cut.
This minimized downtime dramatically benefits the patient, allowing them to return to their regular schedule more quickly. Additionally, saving teeth and gums are significant benefits of this procedure. At the Tennessee Centers for Laser Dentistry, your safety and health are our primary focus. We take tooth loss, bone loss, and gum disease very seriously.
Various procedures can be performed with Lightwalker® Laser, including:
- Biostimulation
- Laser therapy for nerve disorders and TMJ/TMD
- Frenectomies
- Gingivectomies (gum contouring)
- Remove ulcers and cold sores
- Sleep Apnea treatments
- Disinfection during root canals
Is Laser Dentistry Painful?
Many dental procedures require injections, anesthesia, stitches, and a lot of recovery time. Fortunately, patients now have the option of laser dentistry –a fast and effective method used to perform various dental procedures that uses heat and light. With the introduction of lasers in endodontics, root canal therapy is no longer a traumatic dental procedure. Most importantly, it’s virtually pain-free!
The strong emergence of lasers in dentistry has increased the various applications in endodontic procedures, proving highly beneficial.
Are Laser Root Canal Procedures Painful?
Laser-assisted root canal therapy has been proven to be more beneficial than traditional root canal treatment in terms of disinfection and pain.
Traditional root canal treatments alone may not consistently achieve complete sterilization, leading to re-infection and failure of root canal therapy. Lasers are used in combination with chemo-mechanical methods. Lasers are deployed to effectuate a sterile atmosphere in the infected root canals.
What Makes Laser Dentistry Relatively Painless?
By eliminating the use of drills and scalpels, this high-energy light technology is infinitely less invasive than traditional methods. It also reduces the need for anesthesia. All dental laser procedures are performed with pinpoint accuracy. Additionally, lasers sterilize, thereby reducing the risk of painful bacterial infections.
The Lightwalker®Laser
As the industry’s number one selling dental laser, the Lightwalker® Laser is the epitome of relatively painless dentistry. With the Lightwalker® Laser, most dental patients skip anesthesia altogether! The Lightwalker® Laser provides no pain-triggering vibrations with anesthesia-free results, allowing you to undergo several soft and hard tissue procedures in one dental visit.
Laser dentistry is possible with the innovative laser dental treatments provided by Tennessee Centers for Laser Dentistry. Dr. Andy Burton, Dr. Chad Edwards, Dr. Ryan Torti, Dr. Andy Burton and their teams are dedicated to making you as comfortable as possible.
Do Laser Fillings Hurt?
Laser dentistry makes fillings nearly painless! All procedures are precision-performed to protect the surrounding tissues, and there are no stitches.
Is Lightwalker® Laser Treatment for Me?
The Lightwalker® Laser treatment benefits those with gum disease, saving teeth and promoting healthy gums. If you have concerns about the health of your gums and would like more information on Lightwalker® Laser treatment, schedule a consultation with the Tennessee Centers for Laser Dentistry.
Should I Stop Taking My Meds Before Lightwalker® Laser Treatment?
While the Lightwalker® Laser treatment doesn’t interfere with many medications, we recommend scheduling an appointment as this can vary by procedure.
What is the Recovery After The Lightwalker® Laser Treatment?
Since the Lightwalker® Laser treatment is minimally invasive, there’s minimal downtime, allowing you to immediately return to your normal daily activities. You may feel some slight sensitivity; however, most patients report not feeling any of this. Rest and avoid any strenuous activity for 24-48 hours.
Can I Eat After The Lightwalker® Laser Treatment?
Stick to eating soft foods for 48-72 hours. Some foods can get stuck under the gum line and slow down the healing process. You’ll receive more specific instructions for which foods to avoid after surgery.
Does Insurance Cover The Lightwalker® Laser Treatment?
Most insurance companies cover gum laser dentistry costs. However, this depends on your specific plan. Contact your insurance provider to see what’s covered.
The Benefits of Laser Dentistry
The Tennessee Centers for Laser Dentistry highly recommends discussing your needs and concerns with one of our dentists when considering any procedure. If you suffer from dental anxiety, laser technology may justify the additional cost.
Since dentists typically use less anesthesia and the laser cauterizing and sterilizing as it sculpts and reduces blood loss, eliminating the need for sutures. Using a precision laser tool for your dental procedure versus a noisy drill or scalpel may help in reducing your dental anxiety.
The healing process is dramatically abbreviated as well, with minimal discomfort and reduction in pain meds.
Dr. Andy Burton, Dr. Chad Edwards, Dr. Ryan Torti, and their teams are exceptionally well-trained professionals ready to care for you. If you’re anxious about booking an appointment, you can visit our clinic to look around. When you do meet with the dentist, let them know about your anxieties so that you can both plan your treatment accordingly. Your first appointment will be a checkup and maybe x-rays. From there, you and your dentist can discuss your treatment and options.
We hope we have provided good insight on options for laser dentistry so that you can discuss your treatment with more confidence.