Dentistry is an ever changing profession. No dentist today practices the same way he did when he first came out of dental school (or at least he should not be!) It is why we have a requirement for continuing education, as it would otherwise be impossible to keep up with all the new techniques and materials.
One of the greatest advances dentistry has made in the past decade is the increased use of lasers. Last month, we had the opportunity to attend an advanced dental laser symposium in sunny California. While the weather was delightful compared to the freezing tundra we live in, most of our time was spent indoors, attending the various lectures and trying out some new techniques. Just a few examples how a laser can be used by dentist:
Non-surgical gum therapy—if you have gum disease, it used to mean a trip to a periodontist (gum specialist) and a date with his scalpel. With the laser, we can treat gum disease with NO CUTTING and NO STITCHES. This is a much more comfortable procedure for patients with a quicker healing time. Most patients we treat are back at work the next day with virtually zero pain.
Fillings—If you have a cavity, a laser dentist may be able to use a laser to clean out the decay instead of a drill. The advantage of the laser is that it has a numbing effect on the tooth since there is no vibration and you may not need a shot. This is great for kids and scared adults (you know who you are). The laser also does not make a high-pitched whining noise like a drill, which makes for a more relaxed experience.
Cold sore relief—Cold sores are not only annoying, they are highly contagious. When a cold sore is treated with a laser, it will heal faster.
TMJ—Ever wake up with a sore jaw? A laser can help relieve the inflammation associated with jaw pain. This can be a tremendous relief for people with acute or chronic pain.
Our office can accomplish all these things and more, as we own several different kinds of dental lasers. There is not one laser on its own that can accomplish all we have listed above. If you would like more information on any of these procedures, feel free to contact us [email protected].
Dr. Herbert Schneider has been recognized for his work with fellowship awards from the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Endodontic Society. He also holds a prestigious Mastership from the World Clinical Laser Institute. Dr. Rachel Jacobs joined the practice in 2006. Her calm, yet precise manner makes her a hit with both adults and children. Both Dr’s are certified in the uses of 3 different clinical lasers.
By Dr. Herbert Schneider
