Soft Tissue Laser Dentistry

Lasers have most recently played a big role in the dental world to perform dental procedures in a more precise, less painful, and faster recovery time than ever before. Traditional methods are now being phased out as soft tissue laser dentistry can improve your smile in a way that has never been possible.

Why and How Are Lasers Used in Dental Procedures?

Lasers used in Surgical and non-surgical procedures can improve the efficiency and reduce the chance or procedural side effects. Lasers can be used in versatile ways and can do everything from removing decay, to treating gum disease. Let’s take a look at a few ways that laser dentistry can be used to treat a variety of soft tissue problems.

• Gums – For patients that deal with a gummy smile, laser dentistry can help to contour the gums and reveal a more smooth tooth structure and offer an even smile. Laser dentistry can even remove folds in the soft tissue caused by dentures that don’t fit correctly.
• Frenulum Problems – If you don’t know, the frenulum is the fold of tissue that attaches the tongue to the mouth. A frenulum that is too tight or too small can affect your speech, but laser dentistry can remove one of the folds to make speaking easier.
• Growths – Cold sores, tumors, and other suspicious lesions can be removed using lasers. More precise biopsies of suspicious growths can be taken without damaging the surrounding tissue.

Advantages

Being that lasers are often used for non-invasive procedures, stitches are no longer required. Patience who shy away from the idea of anesthesia can find solace in knowing that laser dentistry can often the eliminate the need for anesthesia. Laser dentistry can also decrease procedural side effects such as bleeding and discomfort.

If you have questions about soft tissue laser dentistry and would like more information, we at Urbach Pediatric Dentistry in Houston, TX, would be thrilled to answer your questions.