Our office’s newest dental laser is a called a Waterlase®. This unique solid-state, all-tissue laser uses advanced laser and water atomization technologies to safely and effectively perform soft-tissue plastic surgery, tooth cavity preparations, periodontal therapy, biopsies, bone reshaping, treatment of canker sores, sensitive roots, and more!
The Waterlase is non ionizing radiation with no effect on intercellular DNA.
Hard Tissue Procedures with Waterlase®
The hard tissues that we can treat with the Waterlase are teeth and bone. The Waterlase provides optical energy to atomized water droplets on the moist surface of tooth and bone. The water present in these tissues absorbs the laser radiation and tries to expand, causing tiny bits of the defective tooth or bone to be removed with a spray of water. The water also keeps everything cool and comfortable and the laser provides a numbing effect for the nerves.
We have completed Waterlase fillings on children and adults and all have said that the procedure was easier and more comfortable than the dental drill. Sometimes tooth decay extends below the gums and we can use the Waterlase to gently expose the area (with no bleeding!) so that we can place a restoration and save your tooth.
When we complete periodontal laser therapy, our goal is to prevent the irreversible loss of your jaw bone. The Waterlase assisted new attachment procedure is a way to actually promote healthy new attachment and bone growth in treated periodontal pockets. The main goal remains reducing the pockets between the teeth and gums so that you can clean these areas and not permit aggressive, harmful bacteria to multiply there.
Soft Tissue Procedures with Waterlase®
The Waterlase applies optical energy to soft tissues to be able to cut without a blade and often without bleeding or any discomfort. Healing is also more comfortable. Water is used for cooling and hydration. As an added benefit, the laser disinfects the tissue during the treatment.
Before and after Frenulectomy with laser
The Waterlase is a great alternative to blade surgery for removal of a mole or a soft tissue biopsy. The area often heals with a smooth ‘beauty mark’, which most people find better than having the mole.
Ever heard of being tongue-tied? This means that the strong fibrous attachment that holds the tongue to the floor of the mouth is attached too far forward. Some patients with this condition have trouble pronouncing certain words and they may have issues with sleep apnea. Children with this condition may have trouble eating and swallowing normally. The Waterlase can remove or release this fibrous attachment and mobility of the tongue is instantly improved.
Some people have a ‘gummy smile’ or they show more gums when they smile than they want to. The Waterlase can be used to gently sculpt the tissue and even the bone below the tissue to improve this condition.
We can use this laser to uncover a tooth that is having difficulty erupting, or to eliminate a pocket of infection almost anywhere in the mouth.
Laser Depigmentation Treatment
You, or someone you know, may have discolorations on the gums that look like the photo of our patient below. The areas shown here are melanotic macules or flat brown or black pigmented areas. They are harmless and may have been present since birth. Doctors are not exactly sure what causes these ‘freckle-like’ areas to occur. Some people develop areas like this later in life. It is important to know that they could be a symptom of another condition or disease such as Addison’s disease, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, or others. The areas should be evaluated by a cosmetic dentist, an oral surgeon, or your doctor/medical specialist.
Our office is using a Er, Cr: YSGG laser called the Waterlase, to gently remove these brown or black pigmented areas when they are a concern. The procedure is minimally invasive, very precise, and exceptionally gentle for our patients. Because the procedure is so gentle, the surgery can often be done using only topical anesthetic. Best of al, the results we are able to achieve are amazing! Take a look!
Natural pigment (brown areas) on the gums before treatment.
Gentle surgery with the Waterlase to ‘lif’ the brown areas on the gums.
Healed tissue about one week after treatment with a laser. The patient wanted to see the results before doing more treatment!
The photos we have provided show an area of pigmented tissue that was treated with the Waterlase and the healed tissue about one week after treatment. This patient wanted to test the results before scheduling for the whole mouth. When I phoned a couple hours after the surgery, our patient was exercising at the health club and noted no discomfort. Theums felt especially smooth the first two days but no other sensations really. Healing was uneventful and the tissue looked very normal within a week.
What Can Our Lasers Do for Pain Relief and Healing?
The laser promotes biostimulation which does the following wonderful things for you:
- Enhance development of new blood vessels
- Enhance collagen formation
- Enhance new bone and tissue growth
What Is Laser Photobiomodulation/Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)?
The Epic Diode laser[/caption]What is the role of the Epic 10™ diode laser in symptom reduction and healing?
- Bathe treatment area in light to decrease swelling and pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Regenerate connective tissue
- Increase vascularity
- Increase Beta endorphin release
- Stimulate formation of ATP to speed healing
- Boost the cell metabolism and proliferation of fibroblasts and osteoblasts by +150%
- Improve immune system function
- Decrease inflammation and edema
- Use after any procedure for wound healing
- Use high levels outside of the mouth and low levels inside the mouth.
Do you have questions about laser dentistry? Contact our practice to learn more and schedule your appointment.