Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Where lasers are used in soft-tissue dentistry, what the evidence supports, and careful guidance on tongue-tie evaluation.
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Does using a laser make a dental procedure heal faster? How to read the claims
Sometimes, for some procedures, and usually by a modest amount. Two different things get called "laser healing." One is using a surgical laser instead of a scalpel to…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Laser treatment for sensitive teeth: why other causes are checked first
Always. Laser desensitization is aimed at one specific diagnosis, dentin hypersensitivity: a short, sharp response to cold, air, touch or sweet from exposed dentin, the…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Laser treatment for mouth ulcers: what to ask about the evidence
For ordinary canker sores (recurrent aphthous ulcers), systematic reviews of small clinical trials report that low-level laser treatment, also called photobiomodulation…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Can a laser remove all tooth decay without a drill? Where lasers reach their limits
Not always. Only hard-tissue lasers (mostly erbium) can remove decayed enamel and dentin; the soft-tissue lasers used for gum work do not cut tooth. A Cochrane review…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Can laser gum treatment replace a deep cleaning? What the guidelines say
Not according to current guidance. The ADA's clinical practice guideline on nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis names scaling and root planing, the procedure…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Laser gum contouring recovery: eating, brushing, and when to call
After gum reshaping, the treated edge is usually tender and may look pale or grayish while the surface heals; ask your dentist what the healing edge should look like…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
What affects the price of laser gum contouring, and what a quote should list
Far more than the instrument. The price of laser gum contouring is driven by what is being treated: how many teeth are involved, whether only gum is reshaped or bone…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Gum contouring versus crown lengthening: why the bone level decides the procedure
Gum contouring (a gingivectomy or laser reshaping) removes or reshapes gum tissue only. Crown lengthening repositions the gum and trims the bone underneath it so that…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Laser gum contouring: is the concern gum shape, lip movement, or tooth position?
It can be either, both or neither; the consultation exists to find out. Gum contouring, a gingivectomy or gingivoplasty done with a laser or conventional instruments…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Diode, erbium and CO2 dental lasers: why the wavelength decides the job
Dental lasers differ mainly by wavelength, and wavelength decides which tissue absorbs the light. Diode lasers (roughly 810 to 980 nm) are absorbed by pigment and blood…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Is laser dentistry safe? The protections you should see in the treatment room
Dental lasers are medical devices regulated by the FDA, and when a trained clinician uses one with the right precautions for its cleared uses, the risks are specific and…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Does laser dentistry mean no needles? What decides whether you need anesthesia
No. A laser is a cutting and reshaping instrument, not an anesthetic, so it does not switch off sensation. Some procedures can be done with less numbing or none, most…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
Laser or conventional instruments: compare the actual procedure, not the label
Neither is better across the board. A dental laser and a conventional instrument should be compared step by step. For removing decay, a Cochrane review found no clear…
- Laser dentistry and frenectomy
What laser dentistry is, and which dental procedures actually use a laser
Laser dentistry is not a separate kind of dentistry. It means that for certain steps of a procedure, the dentist uses a focused beam of light, at a wavelength chosen for…