Laser Dentistry

It sounds quite futuristic, and in many ways it truly is. Laser dentistry is a revolutionary dental treatment technique that has made a variety of procedures more comfortable, effective, and efficient. Redondo Beach dentist Michael Fulbright, DDS and his experienced dental team utilize some of the most advanced lasers available to quickly and precisely diagnose certain dental issues and to treat a range of concerns.

What Are the Benefits of Laser Dentistry?

Some of the many benefits offered by laser dentistry include:

• Reduced potential for bleeding
• More rapid healing and recovery
• Reduced swelling
• Minimized discomfort

Laser techniques can seal the nerve endings and blood vessels during gum treatments, which can result in little to no pain following the procedure. This can significantly minimize the recovery process when compared to previous techniques for gum treatment, helping patients avoid a lengthy period of discomfort and get on with their day as quickly as possible.

Laser Bacterial Reduction and Whole Body Health

Laser therapy can be significantly effective for bacterial reduction and prevention of serious dental and periodontal conditions. Ultimately, it can benefit all of our patients by serving as a prevention therapy and as a treatment for active concerns involving unhealthy bacterial invasion of the gums and teeth. We take a “whole body health” approach at our practice, which can help address oral health concerns that have shown to be linked to other conditions that affect an individual’s general health. Laser therapies can be particularly useful for patients who would like to ensure they maintain good oral health long into the future.

What Treatments Can Be Performed With Laser Dentistry?

Some of the most popular treatments that can involve laser dentistry include:

Cavity Diagnosis

Early detection of cavities is crucial to identifying decay before it gets to a point where serious dental problems can occur. With the DIAGNOdent^® laser, our dental team can find small cavities in tiny crevices that may not even show up in an x-ray. The DIAGNOdent^® laser can be used in routine oral exams to provide our dentist with a detailed view of any potential cavities without having to use an uncomfortable probe to locate them. This laser technique is completely painless and offers a quick method of getting precise results.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treatment

Gum disease is one of the most common and progressive dental issues among adults. Without treatment, the condition can lead to severe gum recession, inflammation, bleeding gums, loose teeth, total tooth loss, and even increased risks to your overall health. Our practice can add laser dentistry techniques to a customized gum disease treatment plan. Laser techniques can provide a strong, sterile seal to gum pockets after a deep cleaning, helping patients achieve a faster healing time and reduced swelling and bleeding.

Soft Tissue Management – Laser Treatment and Perio Protect^®

Laser therapy combined with Perio Protect^® can be a great way for patients to effectively manage the health of their gums. Perio Protect^® is an at-home, non-invasive treatment that you can incorporate into your daily oral hygiene routine. A customized “Perio Tray^®” delivers a hydrogen peroxide-based solution into crevices between the teeth and gums, which can help prevent periodontal disease from getting worse. The tray only needs to be worn for a few minutes each day, and can be an ideal way to maintain healthy gums. With both laser treatment and Perio Protect^®, many patients with periodontal disease can have current concerns effectively treated and take steps to ensure that the condition doesn’t rapidly progress to a more severe stage.

Cosmetic Gum Recontouring

If you have what’s sometimes called a “gummy smile,” laser techniques can provide a minimally-invasive way to address your concern. Excess tissue surrounding the gums can have a significant effect on a person’s appearance, causing feelings of self-consciousness and even a reluctance to smile. Cosmetic gum recontouring with laser dentistry allows our dentist to gently remove excess gum tissue and provide better balance and symmetry between the gums and teeth. With the use of advanced lasers as opposed to more traditional gum reshaping techniques, this treatment can reduce discomfort both during and after the procedure and greatly minimize recovery time.

TMJ Disorder Treatment

Many patients who suffer from TMJ Disorder (TMD) may be ideal candidates for laser therapy. Our practice utilizes the state-of-the-art Biolase^® EPIC™ Laser Pain Therapy platform, which has proven to alleviate many of the common symptoms associated with TMD. Targeted treatment with the EPIC™ laser is designed to temporarily relax the muscles in the area and increase blood circulation. This advanced laser treatment can ultimately provide temporary relief from pain and discomfort due to problems with the temporomandibular joint. Symptoms such as facial pain, headaches, jaw popping/clicking, earaches, and others relating to TMD can be reduced for many individuals with this treatment.

A series of six laser treatments, 15 minutes per area, is typically recommended for the best results. Our dentist can evaluate your jaws and talk with you about your concerns to determine whether laser therapy offers an ideal way to reduce symptoms associated with TMJ Disorder.

If you would like more information on our laser dentistry options, or if you would like to schedule a consultation here at Fulbright Cosmetic & Reconstructive Dentistry, please contact our office today.