How Lasers Are Used In Dentistry
Lasers may seem like a technology straight out of science fiction, but they are an integral part of 21st century dentistry. When people hear the word laser, they likely think about space age weapons or scanning technology, so they might be surprised to learn that dentists have used lasers since the mid-90’s. In fact, every modern dentist office should employ lasers as a part of their regular oral care.
So how is it that something so futuristic like lasers have become a regular part of dental medicine? Let’s take a look at the history of lasers in medicine and how they have transformed the way dental practitioners care for their patients over the past few decades.
At Grand Lake Dental, our number one commitment is to provide our Grove, Oklahoma area patients with the best, most advanced care available anywhere.
The history of lasers in medicine
A laser is an apparatus for emitting a focused beam of light via a process of optical amplification. The term itself is an acronym standing for, “Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” Although Dr. Theodore Maiman constructed the first laser in 1960, the idea of using light in medicine can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilizations. In fact, Apollo, the God of Light, was also the God of Healing and both the Greeks and Egyptians used light as a therapy for a number of ailments.
But it’s only been since the invention of the laser that light became an actual tool in medicine. The earliest uses of the laser were mainly concentrated in two areas, dermatology and ophthalmology. In other words, the skin and the eyes. Of course, most people are familiar with the use of lasers in corrective eye surgery, and this practice can be traced as far back as 1961, when Charles Campbell used a ruby laser to treat a patient who was suffering from a detached retina.
As lasers became more advanced, argon lasers (that emit a green-wavelength) began being used to reattach retinas. The laser is actually focused through the lens of the eye itself causing the retina to become reattached. During this same period, ruby and argon lasers were being used to remove melanomas from the skin as well as certain types of birthmarks.
Further advances led to lasers being used in a wide variety of medical procedures, including cancer diagnosis, eyesight correction, surgery, imaging, microscopy, and even dentistry. The first experiments with lasers in dentistry took place in the mid 1960s, when Ralph Stern and Reidar Sognnaes used a ruby laser to vaporize enamel and dentin at UCLA. However, there were concerns that the heat of the laser caused unwanted side effects on the soft gum tissue of the mouth that could lead to permanent damage, so their experiments were abandoned at the time. It wasn’t until 1989 that Dr. Terry Myers built the first Nd:YAG laser that was designed specifically for dentistry.
How dentists are using lasers today
Today’s dental lasers can be divided into a number of separate categories. There are gas lasers and solid lasers. Some lasers are specifically designed for use on hard tissues, and other lasers for soft tissues. Lasers can also be designated based on the range of wavelengths they emit.
The lasers designed for hard tissues are most commonly used for a number of operations. For example, they can be employed to prep teeth that will be undergoing restorative dental applications. They are also used to remove stains from the tooth surface, prepare teeth without the use of a local anesthesia, or excise osseous tissue. They can even be used to decontaminate bacterial adhesions that can be found on dental implants.
On the other hand, soft tissue lasers are often referred to as dental diode lasers. They are targeted at the gums and other soft structures of the mouth. Thanks to the precision cuts of these lasers, they can be used to eliminate bleeding in the gums after oral surgery and other procedures, thus speeding up the healing process. Other uses of these soft tissue lasers include sterilizing the endodontic canal, remedying periodontal disease, and eliminating infected areas. These lasers can also be useful for tooth whitening procedures.
No doubt the laser revolution will continue well into the future with many new processes becoming available that are only dreamt about today.
Why today’s lasers are safe to use
Patients can understandably be worried that a laser might be dangerous or painful. But the truth is that lasers are extremely precise instruments that make a dentist’s job much easier and safer for the patient. Of course, as with any medical tool, they must be used in the correct manner with the proper care to be effective. If used incorrectly, lasers do pose a threat to exposed skin and eyes, and so you must follow your dentist’s instructions while the laser is being used.
Fortunately, lasers that are used as medical instruments are regulated by The Food and Drug Administration, which implements strict engineering controls for lasers. These controls include a key or password for turning on a medical laser, an emergency shut off switch, safety interlocks, regular software diagnostics, and more. Lasers even need to have audible and visible signs indicating the machine is in operation to help avoid accidents.
Of course, patients want to know that the dentist operating a laser is experienced with the machine and is well versed in all safety protocols.
Your Grove, Oklahoma Dental Laser Specialist
Dr. Jobst and the staff at Grand Lake Dental are committed to the health and safety of each and every one of our patients. In fact, we take safety very seriously and regularly hold trainings and refresher courses to make sure we are only employing the safest and most effective methods. We believe that no matter what the procedure, whether it’s a regular check up or a major invasive surgery, it should be handled with the utmost attention to detail and commitment to the comfort and well being of the patient.
Our Oklahoma patients can rest assured that Dr. Karl Jobst has the top-notch education, training, and experience that makes him one of the best dental professionals in the state. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.