Use of lasers in the field of dentistry and its advantages
Use of lasers in the field of dentistry and its advantages
Lasers were first discovered in the year 1960. Due to limited knowledge the use of lasers in the field of medical science remained restricted. It is only but recently that technical developments have made it possible to use lasers more extensively especially in the field of dentistry. Laser dentistry has become an important part of hospital dentistry. They have not only introduced advanced treatment but also painless treatment, thereby completely erasing the fear that dental patients are prone to feel.
The types of lasers used in the field of dentistry vary as per the requirement of the patient. The most common use of lasers is in removing dental caries, fillings that have become composite, root canal sterilization etc. Lasers are also used in crown treatments, gum treatment, ulcer treatment as well as in cosmetic laser dental surgery.
The concentrated beam of light generated by lasers helps in removing areas of infection in the tooth and mouth with greater precision. The affected areas get sterilized by the laser beams, with the blood vessels getting sealed off and minimizing the chances of infection or prolonged bleeding. Laser dentistry has in fact increased the comfort level of patients both before and after the dental procedures. The main reason behind this is that lasers limit the use of anaesthetic injections and so reduce the related side effects.
The advantages of laser dentistry can be summarized in to the following points-
Reduces the treatment and recovery time.
Lasers allow dentists to carry on more than one procedure at the same time.
Infections and chances of bleeding get reduced.
Lesser pain during and after treatment.
It has proved to be an effective and noiseless alternative to dental drills.
Laser dentistry has ensured that the results of the procedure are better and more satisfying.
While lasers have revolutionised hospital dentistry but it has not replaced the traditional dental applications. Laser dentistry complements the traditional methods and both are used as per requirement and budget. The use of lasers has simply improved over the traditional methods of application to produce an effective solution to the different dental problems. There is a wrongful notion that the highly powerful laser beams are dangerous. Skilled dental professionals use low powered dental lasers and newest dental technology allows dentists to control the heat and light of the laser to be used on the delicate tissues of the mouth.