Laser Dentistry
We have implemented the use of laser dentistry, giving us the ability to offer world-class, pain-free dentistry for dozens of hard and soft-tissue procedures. Click on the links below to learn more about our procedures.| Browse information by topic |
| Waterlase™
Hydrokinetic Drill » Laser Periodontal (Gum) Therapy » CEREC® Same Day Crowns |
The Waterlase™ uses HYDROKINETIC™ technology to perform a variety of dental procedures, including cavity preparation, caries removal, tooth etching and a wide range of soft tissue (gum) procedures for both children and adults.
- The Waterlase system is a revolutionary new dental device that uses laser-energized water to cut teeth.
- This combination of laser energy and water-spray creates "HYDROKINETIC"
energy, and is a patented technology invented by BIOLASE scientists
and engineers.
- Heat and vibration are the causes of most of the discomfort associated with the drill. Since HYDROKINETIC™ cutting does not transmit heat or vibration, MANY DENTAL PROCEDURES CAN BE PERFORMED WITHOUT ANESTHESIA, IN MOST CASES.
- The laser's pinpoint accuracy is precise enough that your dentist can leave in place as much healthy tooth structure as possible, allowing you to keep your own teeth longer.
- Gently performs numerous soft tissue (gums) procedures with little or no bleeding. The laser gives your dentist a new high-tech tool for many procedures that previously required referral to a specialist. Now you can have them performed during your scheduled appointment and feel better afterwards!
- The Waterlase™ prepares your teeth in a way that maximizes the bonding of tooth colored fillings, allowing them to last longer.
Laser Periodonatal Laser (Gum) Therapy
A Beautiful Smile Through Better Oral Health
If your disease is left untreated, gums pull away from your teeth
and the bacteria continues to spread. The bacterium creates toxins
that eat away at your teeth, producing significant bone loss.
Our periodontal team can halt this process in its tracks and with
the use of lasers begin the reversal of the disease. With your diligence,
increased home oral care and consistent appointments a successful
outcome is virtually guaranteed.
If you have any further questions regarding lasers or your treatment,
your Hygienist is more than happy to provide answers.
- Minimal or no bleeding
- Faster healing
- Reduced post-operative infection
- Minimal or no anesthesia
- Minimal pain, inconvenience, discomfort
- Less time in chair
- Control of your periodontal disease with regularly attended support appointments
- Greatly reducing the risk of tooth loss due gum disease
Why Do We Use Lasers?
In our office we pride ourselves on being on the cutting edge of technology, which is effective and beneficial in helping you overcome your periodontal disease.
One of the latest developments in treating gum disease is the use of lasers to assist hygienists to fight a disease going on below your gum line, which may be associated with more insidious and have far-reaching health effects.
Laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Simply put, a dental laser is a dental device that generates a precise beam of concentrated light energy, which is used to enhance the treatment of your gum disease.
Lower-powered (Diode) lasers are most effective when utilized in dental procedures that invoke the soft tissues (gums). This is the first laser system that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat your periodontal condition.
Diode lasers are ideal for soft tissue procedures since the wavelength is readily adsorbed by the composition of your gums. Lasers are used to perform a variety of soft tissue procedures, including curettage (Root Debridement and Decontamination - RDD), the technique necessary to achieve the wellness of your periodontal tissues.
Deep cleaning (i.e. sulcular debridement - RDD) is a procedure where diseased or inflamed soft tissue is gently removed as part of an overall treatment plan to improve the health of your gum tissues.
In RDD, laser energy is delivered through an optical fiber to clean pockets of infection that develop between your teeth and gums. Deep pockets of infection are difficult to keep clean and bacteria in deep pockets can cause serious gum diseases.
A 1994 study using a diode laser showed a 94% success rate in reducing pocket depths to less than 3mm after a single laser procedure. Prior to treatment with the laser, some patients in the study had pocket depths greater than 9mm.
The American Academy of Periodontology believes that more than 80% of the US population suffers from some form of periodontal (gum) disease. Many of these diseases can be effectively treated using deep cleaning methods incorporating the Diode laser. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in North America.
Still, too many cases go undiagnosed and unreported! Some studies suggest that gum disease may contribute to:
- the development of heart disease
- increase risk of premature, underweight births. Gum disease may also pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes or respiratory disease.
Are Lasers Safe? YES!
When used properly, dental lasers can be more beneficial for patients than conventional methods Lasers are especially valuable because they kill periodontal bacteria and stop their infections before they cause physical destruction or loss of attachment around your teeth. The laser decontamination process is painless and normally takes about 5-10 minutes. In addition, lasers have several safety features that come standard with every laser. The primary safety feature is that the lasers used in our periodontal department, generate very low-level energy, just enough to get the job done right.
Hygienists in our office are highly trained professionals who have undergone training specifically designed to enhance their skills in laser use. Laser certification provides our Hygienists with confidence and expertise when educating you about periodontal disease, lasers and your treatment.
Turns Out You Have Better Things to do with Your Time Technology today is changing our everyday lives. Many people, however, aren’t aware that technology also is impacting dentistry in new and exciting ways. Cutting-edge innovations in dental instruments are requiring less time in the dental chair, causing less discomfort and creating satisfying results. One breakthrough instrument, called CEREC®, allows dentists to quickly restore damaged teeth with natural-colored ceramic fillings, saving patients time and inconvenience.
What is CEREC®?
CEREC® is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Translated, it means that a dentist can economically restore damaged teeth in a single appointment using a high-quality ceramic material that matches the natural color of other teeth.
How does the instrument work?
CEREC® uses CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, incorporating a camera, computer and milling machine in one instrument. The dentist uses a special camera to take an accurate picture of the damaged tooth. This optical impression is transferred and displayed on a color computer screen, where the dentist uses CAD technology to design the restoration. Then CAM takes over and automatically creates the restoration while the patient waits. Finally, the dentist bonds the new restoration to the surface of the old tooth. The whole process takes about one hour.
What does this innovation mean for a patient?
A tooth-colored restoration means no more silver fillings discoloring smiles. The filling is natural-looking, compatible with tissue in the mouth, anti-abrasive and plaque-resistant. Dentists no longer need to create temporaries or take impressions and send them to a lab. Because of this, the traditional second visit has been eliminated. The CEREC® has over a decade of clinical research and documentation to support the technology. The restorations have been proven precise, safe and effective.
How can I find out if this is an option for me?
Call our office at (805) 682-7565. We will be happy to answer your questions on this new technology.
Uses
- Partial and full crowns
- Veneers
- All other single-tooth restorations (fillings, etc)
- Single-visit convenience
- Hi-tech accuracy
- Natural, tooth-colored restoration
- Biocompatible, anti-abrasive and plaque resistant ceramic materials
- Metal free – no silver-colored fillings
- Preserves more healthy tooth material
- Extremely precise for long-lasting, natural results
CEREC® has two decades of clinical research and practical experience to support the success of this technology. More than eight million restorations have been performed worldwide using CEREC® technology. Locally, (practice name) has successfully used CEREC® to provide attractive, convenient tooth restorations to over XXX patients.
