The
latest revolution in dentistry is the dental laser. Sydney's
premier cosmetic dentist, Dr. Phillip F. Ajaje, utilizes the
advanced technology of dental lasers to perform leading-edge
dentistry for his patients who visit our Liverpool and Mascot
offices.
Dental
lasers allow our staff to perform special dental functions without
changing or damaging the surrounding tissues of your mouth.
By delivering energy in the form of a concentrated light beam,
the dental laser is able to easily and smoothly perform specific
functions in the tight crevices of your mouth.
Lasers
in Dentistry?
When
thinking of lasers, many of us picture a science fiction movie
character wielding a laser weapon capable of melting or destroying
property (or people, or even aliens) at great distances. While
certain laser technology can indeed cause this type of damage,
we must remember that they are specifically engineered for that
purpose. Most lasers, including those used in dentistry, are
engineered and designed to perform special functions without
changing or damaging the surrounding tissues or materials. Think,
instead, of the lasers used around us everyday, such as those
found in the barcode scanners at the grocery store or those
that make CD music possible.
Lasers deliver energy in the form of light. Depending on the
intended result, this energy travels at different wavelengths
and is absorbed by a "target." In dentistry, these
targets can be enamel, decay, gum tissue, or whitening enhancers.
Each one absorbs a different wavelength of light while reflecting
other wavelengths. No measurable effect is seen beyond the intended
target site. Lasers are very specific in regard to the wavelength
produced. This means that there must be a different laser for
each type of procedure that you want to complete. There is little
or no sound associated with laser treatment, a pleasant treat
for the dental patient who has experienced the whine of the
dental drill. As technology advances, we hope to see lasers
which can be used for several related treatments combined into
one convenient machine.
There
are currently four areas of dental care that are enjoying the
benefits of laser technology:
-
Cavity removal can be accomplished with two currently available
(and FDA approved) laser machines. Both have the ability to
remove decay within a tooth, and prepare the surrounding enamel
for bonded fillings. The need for anesthesia is greatly reduced
or eliminated over the traditional methods.
Laser energy dramatically reduces the bacteria found in dental
decay, and has been demonstrated to enhance the tooth's ability
to "heal" in situations where "deep cavities"
had existed. There are, however, several limitations to laser
decay removal including the inability to adequately remove silver
fillings, onlays, and crowns.
-
Curing, or hardening bonding materials is another area where
lasers have become important. These lasers drastically reduce
the time it takes to finish a filling, and create what some
researchers have shown to be a stronger restoration.
-
Whitening teeth can be accomplished with special solutions that
are
applied to the tooth surface in the dental office and activated
by laser
energy. Color changes of several shades is possible in a very
short time. When combined with at-home tray based whitening
systems, dramatic changes can be seen in even the most difficult
cases.
-
Periodontal, or gum related care is the fourth area benefiting
from laser technology. Lasers are currently used for recontouring
or reshaping gums (often described as "plastic surgery
for the smile"), removing extra or diseased gum tissue
associated with the use of certain medications or periodontal
disease, and removing the bacteria in periodontal pockets to
promote healing. Healing time and post operative discomfort
can be significantly reduced over the traditional surgical methods.
Dental lasers have been shown to be safe and effective for treating
both children and adults. Very specific equipment and training
are required to incorporate this technology into the dental
office, and many dentists are becoming involved in providing
laser care. Research with the technology and design enhancements
with the machines themselves are proceeding at a staggering
pace. We look to the future with great excitement as the use
of laser energy in dentistry expands to include many more procedures.
Another
technique for removing decay while reducing the need for anesthesia
is called microabrasion. While there are a number of different
machines available to dentists, they all work on the same principle,
and can greatly enhance a patient's dental care experience.
Microabrasion
is a procedure involving a fine stream of particles aimed
at the decayed portion of a tooth. These particles are often
silica, aluminum oxide, or even baking soda based. They are
propelled toward the tooth by air or bottled inert gasses through
a handpiece, and remove small particles of decay as they strike
the tooth's surface. These particles are then "vacuumed"
away through the use of the suction system as with the traditional
methods. A "rubber dam" technique is often used when
this system is used, and involves using a thin latex sheet to
isolate the tooth from the patient's lips and tongue. Microabrasion
is also frequently used to prepare
a surface for bonding or sealants.
While
frequently described as creating a "dusty" taste,
many patients enjoy the absence of sound associated with this
technique. It is virtually silent as it removes areas of decay.
There are, however, limitations in its use including the inability
to remove any metallic restorations like silver fillings, onlays,
or crowns.
