How might a soft tissue, diode laser help you?

Diode Laser used during a cleaning

I’m excited to tell you about our new diode lasers. I feel this technology will improve the way we manage periodontal disease, perform soft tissue surgeries and biopsies, and even help patients during orthodontic care. After careful evaluation and many hours of training, we now have two diode lasers. I was so excited about the possible benefits to our patients; I knew that one would not be enough. A high tech model, the NV diode laser is shown directly below. Adjacent to this is the laser being used for bacterial reduction during a cleaning.

Diode lasers can be used for a variety of soft tissue procedures including gingival plastic surgery, tumor removal, uncovering teeth for orthodontics, reshaping the tissue around brackets or following orthodontic treatment, uncovering implants, and as an adjunct in our treatment of periodontal disease. Procedures are performed quickly, often without anesthesia, and there is very little post-operative sensitivity. We can even use our lasers treatment of lesions like cold sores and aphthous ulcers (canker sores). Unlike our electrosurgery tool, the diode laser is safe to use around metal.

Cordless Diode Laser

So far in our office we have used the Diode Lasers for frenectomies (I can’t imagine going back to the scalpel!) gingival curettage, gingivectomies, laser bacterial reduction, laser assisted periodontal therapy, implant access, and for the treatment of apthous ulcers, canker sores and cold sores. If used on a cold sore during its prodrome phase, the sore is often prevented from appearing, if used during the active phase, the sore will immediately start to heal! So we are trying to have patients call to schedule this low cost procedure as soon as they feel the beginnings of a cold sore.

Impact trauma to front teeth

Dental Implants replace missing front teeth

Severe trauma resulted in the removal of this patient’s front teeth. Dental implants were placed where the teeth used to be. Shown below is a frenectomy completed with the diode laser. A frenectomy is the removal or reshaping of the frenum – the fibrous band of tissue between the lips and the teeth or between the tongue and the floor of the mouth.

Strong frenum between implants

Day of surgery with only topical anesthetic

The tissue attachment or frenum between these two implants causes blanching of tissue as the lip moves. This prevents the normal formation of a gingival papilla between the implants which replace the two central incisors that were lost due to trauma. The diode laser quickly and painlessly reshapes the tissue.

No shots needed for this procedure – just topical anesthetic, and the healing was uneventful.

Fibroma on right cheek

Excellent healing following removal with a diode laser

Soft tissue growths like the fibroma on this patient’s cheek can be annoying as they are often pinched during biting. Removal of this type of lesion with the diode laser is fast and comportable for the patient. the healing period is brief and usually uneventful.

We take great pride in our ability to provide dental care as comfortably as possible. It is always nice to hear from you!Please contact us if you have any questions about treatment with the diode laser in our office or any other dental concerns.

This information shared with you by Julie Gillis, DDS PC. Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. We feel that your dental health is the top priority. and if we can make your smile more attractive while improving your health that is wonderful! Dr. Gillis practices restorative and cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, implants, crowns, bridges and periodontal care. Our office website is www.juliegillisds.com. For further information, please contact us at (970) 242-3635.

Yours for better dental health,

Julie Gillis DDS, AAACD

Restoring Teeth, Restoring Smiles

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