Laser dentistry is an effective and precise way of performing various dental procedures. Laser dentistry has the potential to improve various dental procedures, but all depends on the personnel skill of the dentist i.e. his ability and skill to control the exposure of laser on the gum as well as the teeth surface, and control over power output. Special care is required as the laser should not damage the surrounding tissues.

• it does not damage the surrounding tissues

• some laser dentistry procedures are done without anaesthesia

• chances of bacterial infection are less because the area on which work is done is exposed to a high light beam

• The procedures which use soft tissues laser do not require stitches

• There is very less bleeding because high light beam results in the clotting of blood which reduces blood loss.

• Wounds heal up faster and there is regeneration of tissues.

The dentists use the hydroponics technique which uses the combination of laser energy as well as a spray of water that help in performing various procedures on gums, teeth and teeth bones more easily. The laser energy is absorbed by molecules of water present in the tooth tissues. The laser energy causes an explosion because the water molecules expand which in turn moves apart from the tooth particle.

Yes, laser dentistry helps to treat gum diseases by first targeting and then vaporizing the gum tissues. Laser dentistry is very much better than the traditional procedures that cut the tissues using scalpels. The laser is used to vaporize only diseased tissues which leave the tissues healthy and free of diseases.

The laser automatically forms clots/it seals the blood vessels as well the nerve ending. One can return back to work immediately after the treatment and there is no downtime. Hence it is very convenient and comfortable for the patient as there is no recovery time.

Lasers reflect light with the help of a mirror hence it gets difficult /impossible to remove the silver filling i.e. amalgam filling as there are chances of fracture of a mirror. The conventional drill removes the amalgam filling in the first instance. Then the laser is used to remove decay and the cavity that allows the placement of tooth colour filling. Combination of conventional drill and laser is used for extensive works such as preparation of a crown.

The cost factor depends on the personnel skill of the dentist i.e. how efficiently and skillfully the light energy is used, the location of the dental clinic as well as individual requirement. In some cases, laser therapy has proved to be much cheaper than gum surgeries. Some insurance companies also cover laser therapy, but this should be checked before going for the treatment.