What is Laser Dentistry?

While you may be familiar with laser treatments in the medical and cosmetic surgery fields, the use of laser treatments also occurs in the dental field. You may be familiar with laser whitening treatments, but when it comes to oral care, lasers offer many more options. Do traditional drills and sharp dental instruments give you nightmares and keep you from regular dental visits? Then laser dentistry may be just what you are looking for.

While not yet considered mainstream in many dental offices, the use of lasers to treat hard and soft tissue dental conditions is rapidly growing and an option at Soundview Family Dental. When used, the focused light beams target diseased or damaged tissue, and in most cases, this minimally invasive procedure offers patients many benefits over traditional dental treatment options.

What is Laser Dentistry?

LASER stands for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” The laser instruments used by dentists create a narrow and focused beam of light designed to react to specific tissue. Each laser instrument produces different wavelengths in order to target specific tissue. For example, soft tissue lasers target gum and soft tissue, such as the gums, while hard tissue lasers target hard tissue, such as teeth and bone.

When you come in for a laser dental treatment, you will find your appointment begins in a similar fashion to traditional dental treatments. You may receive anesthesia or a sedative, though at a much lower amount than required for traditional treatment. You will not experience the vibrations and discomfort you experience with traditional dental drills and, in most cases, you will experience little to no pain or discomfort. Laser treatments are often much quicker and more economical than traditional dental procedures and offer other additional benefits.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

In addition to reduced or eliminated pain during dental procedures, laser dentistry offers a wide variety of benefits for patients. These can include:

• No need for anesthesia with some procedures
• Reduced risk of bacterial infections – the use of lasers sterilizes the area as it treats
• Decreased need for sutures with some procedures
• Minimal bleeding as the laser promotes blood clotting
• Faster healing times
• Less post-procedure pain and swelling
• Less damage to the surrounding tissue – the focused light produced by lasers allow the dentist to focus on damaged tissue while leaving healthy tissue untouched
• Reduced anxiety and increased comfort – for many people, the sound of a dental drill is enough to keep them from the dentist. Laser treatments are quiet and relatively pain-free, helping patients feel more comfortable and relaxed during treatment.
• Reduced need for medications and antibiotics after treatment

Procedures that Use Laser Dentistry Treatments

When it comes to laser dentistry, certain lasers focus on the treatment of the teeth while others focus on the treatment of gums and soft tissue. The differences between the lasers depend on their wavelength and the type of tissue they target. For example, the light wavelengths used by soft tissue lasers are easily absorbed by hemoglobin and water, making them ideal for gum and tissue treatment. In contrast, the wavelengths used with hard tissue lasers work with the calcium phosphate salt in your teeth and bones, making them ideal for specific procedures of the teeth. The specific dental work you require will determine the type of laser your dentist uses.

Hard Tissue Procedures

Hard tissue lasers use wavelengths that are absorbed through water and the calcium phosphate salt inside the tooth or bone. Dentists use these lasers to cut this hard tissue. Hard lasers reduce the need for anesthesia for procedures such as fillings. Common procedures that use hard lasers include:

• Prepare and shape teeth prior to composite bonding
• Repair worn-out or damaged fillings
• Remove minor amounts of tooth structure
• Treating teeth sensitivity – sensitivity to hot and cold is the result of the open tub

Soft Tissue Procedures

The wavelengths in soft tissue lasers are easily absorbed by hemoglobin (a molecule found in the blood) and water.  This makes them ideal for treating gum issues as they can cut into soft tissue while simultaneously sealing exposed blood vessels. This helps to reduce bleeding and reduce your healing time. In addition, laser treatments effectively kill bacteria in the mouth, reducing your risk of infection after treatment. Common procedures performed with soft lasers include:

• Gum disease – the traditional treatment for mild to severe gum disease can include scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar as well as bone grafting or soft tissue grafting. Laser gum surgery eliminates these procedures as the laser can remove inflamed or dead tissue while killing bacteria.
• Correcting uneven or disproportionate gum lines
• Address restricted tongue movement
• Lengthening crowns
• Removing folds in oral soft tissue often caused by dentures

Additional Laser Dentistry Procedures

In addition to soft and hard laser treatment options, laser dentistry has other applications. Specific lasers can help you avoid dental x-rays and their associated risks by identifying tooth decay before it is visible to the naked eye. Your dentist can then treat the tooth decay with hard and soft tissue treatments. 

Laser whitening is another laser dental option commonly used to help brighten and improve your smile. After your dentist places whitening gel on your teeth, lasers help speed up the process and produce much whiter and brighter results.

Lasers have also made a big difference when it comes to crowns, veneers, and bridges. Laser CAD/CAM technology allows your dentist to produce more precise teeth impressions, making the procedures much more comfortable for patients.

Laser Dentistry That You Will Find at Soundview Family Dental

At Soundview Family Dental, we utilize Electro Surge laser technology to provide quality deep cleanings and address periodontal disease. This laser technology also allows us to perform many soft tissue procedures with less pain, better results, and a much faster recovery, making this treatment option a patient’s favorite.

If you are interested in learning more about how laser dentistry can help you address your dental concerns, contact Soundview Family Dental today.

 

The article What is Laser Dentistry? is republished from: https://www.soundviewfamilydental.com/

Soundview Family Dental
201 5th Ave S Suite 103, Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 563-6360
Our Edmonds Location

Hi, I am Dr. Eric Kitts. Welcome to Soundview Family Dental! Located in beautiful downtown Edmonds. I grew up in the state of Washington and did my dental school at the University of Washington. 

When it came time to open a practice, I really wanted to open a practice in a beautiful community such as Edmonds. Every patient is different. Every patient deserves to have a customized treatment plan and individualized care. Patients leave our office feeling like it was all about them. One thing that I'd like people to understand is that the health of your teeth and gums affects your whole body. Poor oral health can have systemic consequences. It can affect your mood, your overall well being, and you're cardiovascular health. It's very important to take good care of your teeth and gums. And to visit your dentist regularly. 

We're able to provide the best care because we don't compromise what we do. We have a state-of-the-art facility with the best technology. And quite frankly, the best staff. When patients leave here I want them to feel like they were well cared for and that they want to come back. 

Dentistry is always exciting. It's always on the move. There are always new and bigger things coming out and I enjoy being apart of it. 

Come check us out! Let us care for your smile! 

Visit our website: https://soundviewfamilydental.com/ 

Map: https://g.page/soundviewfamilydental

Soundview Family Dental 

201 5th Ave S Suite 103

Edmonds, WA 98020

(425) 563-6360 

3 Best Electric Toothbrushes for Receding Gums

If you notice that your gums appear to be lifting away from your teeth, making your teeth look longer or even exposing some of the roots, chances are that you have receding gums. While many things can contribute to receding gums, if left untreated they can contribute to exposed root and tooth loss. If you have receding gums, your dentist may recommend an electric toothbrush to help treat the condition and reduce the risk of dental damage. Electric toothbrushes clean your teeth while minimizing the excess pressure some people place on their gums. Soundview Family Dental shares some top electric toothbrushes for receding gums to allow them to heal and return to their healthy position. 

What are Receding Gums?

Receding gums occur when the margin of gum tissue normally seen on the teeth pushes back, exposing more of the tooth. In extreme cases, the gums receded to the point that they can expose the root of a tooth. When receding occurs, it creates gaps between the gum and the tooth where bacteria can become trapped and build up. Bacteria can damage the tooth and the bone structure, often resulting in tooth loss. When this occurs, receding gum treatment, including scaling and root planing, is essential to avoid tooth deterioration.

Numerous factors can contribute to receding gums. A major contributing factor is poor dental hygiene that can also include brushing too hard. Increased pressure on the gums from hard brushing damages the gum tissue and contributes to receding. Other common causes can include:

• Periodontal disease
• Genetics
• Hormonal changes
• Tobacco use
• Misaligned teeth
• Teeth grinding or clenching

 

The Best Electric Toothbrushes for Receding Gums

Electric toothbrushes allow you to clean your teeth and gums without the added pressure many people apply when brushing manually. If you notice that the bristles on your manual toothbrush fray to the sides, chances are you are brushing too hard. Using an electric toothbrush with a soft-bristle brush head can reduce this pressure while still removing bacteria from your teeth. These are the top three electric toothbrushes for receding gums.

 

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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Electric Toothbrush

As one of the top makers of electric toothbrushes, Philips Sonicare delivers a full oral care experience with its DiamondClean Smart line of toothbrushes. This line includes the base model 9300, the mid-model 9500, and their top model 9700. All three models take oral care seriously, offering different brush heads that address general cleaning, tooth whitening, deep cleaning, and gum health. The mid and top lines also include a brush head specifically for tongue care. 

For tech junkies, this is a smart toothbrush. Using Bluetooth technology, this toothbrush connects to an app to give you real-time feedback, including areas you may have missed while brushing. Sensors in the brush heads tell the toothbrush automatically adjusts the mode and intensity. For example, when you choose the gum-care brush, the toothbrush switches modes to provide the gentle care and pressure that your gums need. For general brushing, a sensor in the toothbrush detects when you are applying too much pressure and flashes a light. If you fall back to scrubbing like with a manual toothbrush, the sensor reminds you to stop and let the brush do the work. A location sensor connected to the app shows you areas of your mouth and teeth you missed during brushing, helping to make sure you treat your entire mouth.

Other benefits include:

• Removes 10x more plaque
• Improves gum health up to 7x in two weeks
• White mode removes 100 percent more stains versus manual toothbrush
• 4 or 5 different cleaning modes, depending on the model
• 3 power intensity settings
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Pressure sensors in the brush heads
• Brush head recognition
• Built-in rechargeable battery with a cup charger
• 2-minute timer to ensure optimal brushing time
• A 30-second pacer to ensure you spend enough time in each section of the mouth
• Automatic shut-off
• Prices range from $199 for the 9300 to $329 for the 9700 model

 

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Oral-B Pro 5000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

For those looking for a high-quality gum and oral care electric toothbrush at a more economical cost, the Oral-B Pro 5000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush offers many of the same features found in more expensive models. This toothbrush features five modes: Daily Clean, Gum Care, Sensitive, Whitening, and Deep Clean. It offers 3D cleansing action that oscillates, rotates, and pulsates in order to break up plaque on the teeth and along the gumlines. 

This toothbrush also uses Bluetooth technology to connect to a smartphone. The app provides real-time feedback on your brushing habits and helps promote better oral care. In addition to these benefits, the Oral-B Pro 5000 also offers:

• 100% more plaque removal along the gumline than a manual toothbrush
• 3D cleansing action
• Pressure sensors that let you know when you are applying too much pressure
• In-handle timer pulses that notify you every 30 seconds, so you know when it is time to change areas in the mouth
• One brush head compatible with every mode
• 2-minute time that lets you know when brushing is complete
• Average price for this model is $99

 

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Oral-B Pro 500 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

Quality oral care doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag and the Oral-B Pro 500 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is evidence of that. For under $30, this toothbrush provides superior plaque removal when compared to a manual toothbrush, while still being gentle on the gums and helping to reduce the risk of receding gums. Benefits of this quality brush include:

• 2D cleaning that includes oscillating and rotation in order to break up and remove plaque
• 2-minute pro timer that signals every 30 seconds, reminding you to change location
• Compatible with a variety of different Oral-B brush heads, including Sensitive Gum Care brush heads
• Average price under $30

 

Electric Toothbrushes Better for Gentle Gum Care and Overall Oral Health

Each of these electric toothbrushes provides a variety of benefits when it comes to overall oral care, as well as addressing receding gums. In fact, a 2013 study showed that electric toothbrushes offer better removal of plaque and promote better oral health. The fact that electric brushes help reduce brushing pressure is another benefit when it comes to addressing gum recession. 

For more information about receding gums, treatment options, or to learn more about the benefits of electric toothbrushes, contact Soundview Family Dental today.

The post 3 Best Electric Toothbrushes for Receding Gums was first seen on: https://www.soundviewfamilydental.com

Soundview Family Dental
201 5th Ave S Suite 103, Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 563-6360
Our Edmonds Location