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30 N. Greeley Avenue Chappaqua, NY 10514
30 N. Greeley Avenue Chappaqua, NY 10514
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For some people, going to the dentist is no big deal, For others, however, it can be a great source of stress. Having a dentist poke around in your mouth with sharp tools can elicit fear, leading to sweating, trouble breathing and — in severe cases — panic attacks.
If you struggle with dental anxiety, you may be a good candidate for laser dentistry. Although laser dentistry is not a treatment, it can alleviate anxiety by making appointments more comfortable and speedy. Keep reading to learn more about laser dentistry and discover whether you’re a good candidate.
In laser dentistry, light energy is manipulated into a beam that can be used to remove or change tissues in the mouth. More specifically, this beam may alter hard tissues (teeth) or soft tissues (gums). Not only can lasers replace traditional, physical tools, but they can also act quickly. Here are a few of the procedures commonly performed in laser dentistry.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure designed to improve the external appearance of teeth. While it traditionally takes over an hour to complete, lasers can perform whitening in as little as thirty minutes. The Chappaqua Dentistry team will start by applying a bleaching solution to the surface of your teeth. Then, they’ll apply a laser that “activates” the solution and encourages whitening.
When combined with regular tools, laser dentistry can accelerate the treatment of gum disease. This involves using a laser to remove any inflamed gum tissue that has accumulated around the tooth root. Once this is done, the Chappaqua Dentistry team will use traditional tools to get rid of tartar and plaque and smooth out rough spots.
Most of us have gone in for a regular dentist appointment, only to discover we have a hidden cavity. Using lasers, the Chappaqua Dentistry team can pinpoint tooth decay and remove said decay from within the tooth. Lasers can also be used to treat tooth sensitivity (which helps reduce the risk of future decay). In this procedure, lasers are used to seal channels within the teeth, strengthening their resistance to extreme temperatures.
Patients with missing teeth commonly turn to dental implants as a solution. Usually, installing dental implants requires making an incision in the gums to expose the tooth underneath. However, lasers can be used to perform this incision instead. Not only do lasers usually work faster, but they’re also more accurate (reducing the risk of eliminating healthy tissues).
If your gums are covering large portions of your teeth, it can negatively affect your confidence. Fortunately, laser dentistry can be used to improve the appearance of your smile. To reshape the gums, the Chappaqua Dentistry team will use a laser to carefully remove part of the gum-line. This procedure is usually performed in conjunction with crown lengthening or root canals.
In certain cases, laser dentistry can be used to perform tooth extractions. In this procedure, lasers cauterize the gum tissue, making it easier to remove the tooth. As an added perk, using lasers reduces the risk of bleeding or requiring sutures.
A common function of laser dentistry is conducting biopsies (or tissue examinations to uncover disease). To do this, the Chappaqua Dentistry team will guide the laser and remove a small tissue sample. Then, the sample will be sent to a lab for testing.
Lesions (or damaged tissues) and tissue folds can cause intense discomfort and increase the risk of oral health problems. Typically, dentists remove these intrusions using physical tools, then promote healing by performing stitches. However, with laser technology, the Chappaqua Dentistry team can extract these lesions and folds without relying on stitches. Moreover, lasers help decrease recovery times.
Here are some top advantages of laser dentistry.
In comparison to traditional dental methods, lasers work rather quickly. For those with dental anxiety, faster appointment times can be a huge relief. In addition to quickening appointments, laser dentistry may also shorten recovery times. This is because lasers lower the risk of bleeding and swelling.
When it comes to removing teeth, bone or gums, lasers are highly accurate. This results in more healthy tissue being preserved, and more unhealthy tissue being extracted. The high rate of accuracy also helps reduce the risk of patients experiencing pain after an appointment.
One of the most common sources of dental anxiety is fear over having sharp tools and objects around the teeth and mouth. For many patients, lasers are far more comfortable than traditional methods (which goes a long way in reducing anxiety). They also reduce the need for anesthesia during an appointment, which is helpful if you’re uncomfortable being sedated.
Because lasers are sterile, they help lower the chances of a patient getting an infection after a procedure. These sanitation benefits, along with the quicker recovery times, result in easier after-care routines for patients who undergo laser dentistry.
A common concern among patients interested in laser dentistry is whether the procedure is safe. The good news is, provided it’s performed by a reliable team (such as Chappaqua Dentistry), laser dentistry is completely safe. The practice has been around since the 1940s and is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Whether you’re struggling with dental anxiety or are just looking for quicker, cleaner oral health solutions, laser dentistry can help. Not only is the practice completely safe, but it also encourages fast recovery times. Best of all, it can be applied to a number of different procedures.
Anyone who is interested in laser dentistry should contact Chappaqua Dentistry to discover whether they’re a good candidate. We can perform an evaluation, answer questions and help plan out your next procedure. Schedule your complementary consultation by contacting us today!