I hate painful dental procedures. Is pain-free laser dentistry a myth?

BY: Dr. Hisham Abdalla

Most dental procedures, such as fillings or gum lifts, usually result in some discomfort. However, laser dentistry -- a revolutionary step in dental care -- is certainly a lot less painful and efficient compared to traditional dental procedures.

Laser Dentistry Benefit No. 1: It’s safer.
Bones, gums and teeth all contain water. When the hand-held laser is directed at them, the beam of energy gets absorbed by the water, melting away the gum, bone or whatever it’s pointed at. And if the dentist’s hand slips, there’s less trauma -- you have to direct the laser for a good couple of seconds before it will start melting something.

While a drill causes extra pressure and pain thanks to its heat and friction, there’s none of that with a heat-free laser. Many people also find the sound of the drill to be disturbing, making them tense up, but the laser is soundless.

Laser Dentistry Benefit No. 3: It speeds up healing.
Unlike when using a cutting instrument, there’s no blood when using a laser on soft tissue. All that forms is a scab that eventually heals. This reduces the chance of infection and stimulates new cells to multiply faster. Because there’s so much less trauma to tooth and bones, you can even have a filling done without the need for pain relief through gum injections.

Should you do it?
It’s really up to you. Many of my patients agree it’s the most pain-free and stress-free dental experience they’ve had. It usually costs a bit more for a laser procedure; for many people, however, it’s worth it for their peace of mind.

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