A tooth that is severely damaged may need to be removed. doctors can make this assessment and they routinely perform laser tooth extractions. A local anesthetic is given to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. doctors can perform simple extractions, surgical extractions, root extractions, tissue extractions, boney extractions, impacted extractions, and wisdom teeth extractions. Nitrous and Minimal Sedation are also an option available for tooth extractions.
With Laser Dentistry the doctors are able to limit discomfort and eliminate the need for sutures in some cases.
What can be treated with laser dentistry?
Many restorative treatments and cosmetic dental procedures now incorporate lasers. If your dentist offers laser treatments at their dental clinic, they will discuss these options with you during your consultation. They may offer you a choice between laser dentistry or a more conventional approach.
Laser dentistry can be used to treat:
- Tooth decay – Lasers can help cut and shape tooth enamel more efficiently than dental drills when preparing a tooth for a filling. Lasers may also be used to help a filling bond to the tooth. or to remove decayed tissue during a root canal treatment.
- Gum disease – Diseased or inflamed gum tissuecan be cut away with minimal effect on the healthy tissue. Lasers can also help expose teeth roots to remove plaque.
- Impacted wisdom teeth – Lasers can help cut away gum tissue to expose wisdom teeththat have only partly erupted or are stuck (impacted) in the gum.
- Sensitive teeth – Dental lasers can help seal tubules in tooth roots to reduce the tooth’s sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks.
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) – Low-level lasers can help reduce pain and inflammation in the temporomandibular jointand surrounding tissues.
- Stained or discoloured teeth – Lasers are sometimes used in professional teeth whitening treatmentsto activate the bleaching agent and speed up the whitening process.
- Gummy smile – If you want to alter the appearance of your smile, your dentist may recommend using dental laser treatment to help reshape your gum line and remove excess gum tissue to show more of your teeth.
- Mouth ulcers – If you have a persistent ulcer or lesion in your mouth, lasers may be used to help reduce pain or to remove tissue for a biopsy.
When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
The kind of tooth extraction you are probably most familiar with is wisdom tooth removal. Because they often cause problems to nearby teeth & can get infected, wisdom teeth are often removed before or after they come in. Other causes for extractions include:
- Severe tooth decay
- Damaged, broken or infected teeth
- Teeth that do not come in correctly (or at all)
- Gum disease
- Making room for teeth to shift during orthodontic treatment
- Side effects from certain medications or treatments
What are the benefits of using laser dentistry?
There are many advantages to using lasers in cosmetic and restorative treatments compared to traditional methods. Your dentist will explain the pros and cons of laser surgery so you can make an informed decision.
Laser dentistry may help avoid anaesthesia or stitches. Additionally, it can help:
- shorten treatment duration and recovery time
- minimise bleeding and swelling during surgery
- reduce scarring of surrounding tissues
- reduce the risk of infections
- guide tissue regeneration
- reduce discomfort and anxiety
How laser dentistry works?
A laser dental surgery works by honing an intense beam of light energy to perform precise dental procedures. They are easy to control and allow dentists to painlessly cut or vaporize tissue on contact, eliminate decay in teeth, and remove soft tissue from gums. Blood loss is minimized because the high-energy light beam cauterizes as it works, which drastically reduces recovery times and the need for over-the-counter pain killers.
The laser generates a beam of concentrated light bringing energy into your mouth to help remove areas of infection as it destroys many bacteria and viruses found in the mouth.The laser is highly effective at killing bacteria and reducing the pain in the gum, bone and muscles around the sore gum.
laser also introduces a Pulse setting that delivers pulses to the tissue as short as one ten-millionth of a second, resulting in improved patient comfort, less damage to surrounding tissues, and better healing. With laser, patient comfort is a reality. When treatment with Laser is combined with Good Effective maintenance then the results are excellent. Treatment of infected and/or Impacted Wisdom Teeth dentists use laser to reduce and even eliminate the pain associated with Infected or sore wisdom teeth.
The laser improves blood flow and accelerates healing, reducing post operative discomfort. The results are almost instantaneous and involve no injects and is therefore very suited to nervous patients and those who can’t have an injection. Most treatment carried out inside your mouth can be carried out using a laser as it has the benefit of minimising bleeding and pain during and after the procedure. Traditional scalpel and sutures cause more tissue injury, pain, swelling and bleeding.
What makes laser dentistry painless?
If just the thought of a scalpel going near your mouth gives you the shivers, then laser dentistry is your new best friend. This high-energy light technology is vastly less invasive than traditional methods. It eliminates the use of drills and scalpels in many dental procedures, which also reduces the need for anesthesia. Even biopsies and cavity fillings are made painless with laser surgery! All procedures are performed with pinpoint accuracy to protect the surrounding tissues, and there are no stitches to care for afterwards. As an added bonus, lasers sterilize as they go, which reduces the risk of painful bacterial infections.
After Tooth Extraction
After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes immediately after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times to staunch the flow of blood.
After the blood clot forms it is important to not disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this increases blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.
After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
Use pain medication as directed. Call dental office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
After a few days you should feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.
Are there any side effects?
Laser dentistry should be performed by a dental practitioner who is fully qualified to operate the technology and takes appropriate safety precautions, such as providing you with protective eyewear during laser treatments.
Side-effects such as carbonisation, cracking and melting of tooth roots have sometimes been reported with laser use, but these are relatively rare cases.
Cost
The cost of these kind of ‘impacted’ wisdom tooth extraction includes, X-rays, CBCT scan to locate the wisdom teeth location. Anesthesia, surgeon fees, suturing and suture removal and follow up visits. Dental laser treatments also tend to be more expensive than standard dental treatments due to the cost of the equipment.
Final Thought
In conclusion, laser tooth extractions and laser dentistry offer effective solutions for various dental issues, from severe damage to impacted wisdom teeth and gum disease. Laser dentistry, with its precision and minimal invasiveness, has revolutionized dental procedures, offering benefits such as reduced discomfort, shorter recovery times, and minimized risk of infections.
So, contact us to learn more about how laser dental surgery can benefit you and to schedule your appointment. Your journey to a healthier, more confident smile starts here.
