Hard and Soft Tissue Lasers
Dentist Menasha, WI

What is a Laser?
Lasers have been around for a while now. However, they are still fairly new in the dental field. The word laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. It is a handheld tool that emits a concentrated beam of light approximately the thickness of a human hair. The wavelength of the laser can be adjusted so that we can perform a variety of different tasks. With a laser, we can perform many treatments in a much less invasive, much more accurate manner, providing you with an alternative to scalpels or drills.
Soft Tissue Lasers
A soft tissue laser is one that allows us to work on the soft tissues in your mouth, such as your gums. With a soft tissue laser, we can remove infected gum tissue and disinfect periodontal pockets. We can seal pockets and stimulate the growth of new soft tissues. A soft tissue laser can be used to perform cosmetic gum procedures, such as an aesthetic gum lift. It can also be used to perform a soft tissue biopsy, a procedure that involves removing a small portion of soft tissue from an abnormality in your mouth so that we can examine it under a microscope to determine, or rule out, the presence of oral cancer.
Hard Tissue Lasers
A hard tissue laser is one that allows us to focus on the hard tissues in your mouth, including your bone and your teeth. On the teeth, the laser can be used in place of a traditional dental drill. It can help to remove decay from a cavity and prepare teeth for fillings. It can also be used to prepare teeth for bonding or perform whitening treatments. When treating bone, the laser can help to remove bone mass or stimulate the growth of new tissue.
Benefits of Lasers in Dentistry
There are many benefits associated with laser dentistry:
• | Your need for a local anesthetic is greatly reduced. Depending on the procedure, you may require no local anesthetic at all. |
• | The laser disinfects the area that it treats. This helps to reduce your risk for developing infections after treatment. |
• | Lasers provide pinpoint accuracy. We can remove only the necessary tissue, leaving more healthy tissue intact. |
• | The laser is much less invasive than traditional treatment techniques. |
• | Patients with anxiety can feel more at ease. The laser helps to reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding. It reduces the need for anesthesia. It also does not produce the same sounds or sensations as traditional drills. |
• | Treatments performed using a laser are often completed in less time than with traditional techniques. |
With laser technology, we can provide you with highly effective care in a much less invasive, more accurate manner. For more information on the soft and hard tissue lasers, and to find out just how they can help you, call Mid Valley Dental at (920) 215-4160 today.