How Lasers Are Transforming Restorative Dentistry

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How Lasers Are Transforming Restorative Dentistry
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• James Barnes DDS
• Dr. Barnes, a native Texan, grew up in El Paso,
  Texas. After graduating from high school, he
  attended Baylor University in Waco where he
  received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. 
  He later went on to earn his Doctor of Dental
  Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry
  in Dallas, Texas.
• Dr. Barnes is a member of the American Dental
  Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic
  Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association and The
  North Texas Dental Society.  His commitment to
  continuing education, use of state of the art
  technology, and a genuine compassion for his
  patients has enabled Dr. Barnes to provide
  exceptional care in a relaxed and friendly
  environment.

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• Our Services
• Family Dentistry
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Cleanings Exams
• Teeth Whitening
• Dental Implants
• Porcelain Veneers
• Cosmetic White Filling

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• About
• Lasers were first used commercially in clinical
  dental practices in 1989. Since then, laser
  dentistry has become a popular treatment solution
  for several dental procedures involving hard and
  soft tissues, offering an alternative to drills
  and other traditional tools.
• Are you thinking about getting dental laser
  treatment? Heres what you need to know about how
  lasers are transforming restorative dentistry.

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• What Is Laser Dentistry?
• LASER is short for Light Amplification by the
  Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In laser
  dentistry procedures, the laser device creates
  light energy in a narrow and concentrated beam.
  When the light hits the target tissue, it
  produces a reaction that allows it to shape or
  remove tissue.
• All lasers (both soft tissue and hard tissue
  lasers) work by delivering energy in the form of
  light. When used for surgical dental procedures,
  the laser acts as a cutting instrument and
  removes tissue that it comes in contact with. In
  the case of teeth whitening procedures, the laser
  acts as a source of heat that enhances the
  efficacy of tooth-bleaching agents.

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• Are Dental Lasers Safe?
• Safety is a common concern for most people who
  are considering laser treatment for the first
  time. It is important to note that the U.S Food
  and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lasers
  sold in the United States.
• However, no laser treatment has a Seal of
  Acceptance from the American Dental Association
  (ADA). That said, the ADA states that it is
  cautiously optimistic about the role of laser
  technology in dentistry. Additionally, dentists
  undergo specific training for each dental laser
  device. Therefore, be sure to confirm that your
  dentist has the necessary training to operate the
  laser device for your specific dental procedure.

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• Uses of Laser in Restorative Dentistry
• Laser dentistry encompasses treatments for
  several oral health issues. Laser dentistry is
  used in a variety of procedures, including
• Reshaping gum tissue
• Removing tissue around an exposed wisdom tooth
• Extracting inflamed gum tissue
• Taking away small amounts of tooth enamel
• Eliminating muscle attachments that restrict
  tongue or lip movement
• Repairing certain worn down fillings
• Repairing tooth enamel for composite bonding
• Accelerating in-office tooth whitening procedures

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• What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Lasers in
  Dentistry?
• Pros
• Many patients find dental visits nerve-racking
  due to the drilling sound associated with many
  dental procedures. Because laser dentistry tools
  are generally quieter than traditional treatment
  options, they may provide a more comfortable
  experience for patients who are uncomfortable
  with dental drills. In addition, dental lasers
• May result in less pain and thus reduce the need
  for anesthesia.
• May help ease dental anxiety.
• May promote healthier teeth during cavity
  removal.
• Can reduce bleeding and swelling during soft
  tissue treatments.

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• Cons
• Although lasers have been widely accepted as a
  positive advancement in dental treatments, they
  have some shortcomings. For example, dental
  lasers
• Cannot be used on teeth that already have
  fillings.
• Do not completely eliminate the need for
  anesthesia.
• May be more expensive than traditional treatment
  options.
• Cannot be used in many common dental procedures,
  such as filling cavities between teeth or
  preparing large cavities for crowns.
• May require the use of traditional drills to
  shape and finalize certain restorative
  treatments, such as fillings.

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Conclusion Although laser treatments will not
completely replace traditional dentistry, their
use has greatly increased the number of treatment
options available to dentists and patients alike.
If you have any questions regarding the use of
lasers in restorative dentistry, talk to your
dentist to learn more.
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Thank You