Laser dentistry

We use laser dentistry at our Melbourne dental practice to manage dental procedures such as gum treatments and managing crowns or bridges. Laser dentistry is an alternative to traditional surgical procedures, usually with little or no pain.

What is laser dentistry?

Laser dentistry uses laser energised water to perform dental procedures without the need for heat or vibration. Lasers can be used to cut, etch and shape the target tissue without contact, meaning it can be done with little or no pain.

There are two ways to use the tips of the laser: uninitiated and initiated. An initiated tip will cut tissue and this is achieved by burning the tip of the laser fibre onto a cork. If this step isn’t done then the laser will not cut.

Benefits of laser dentistry

Laser dentistry is a powerful new tool in dentistry with many applications. It offers three principal benefits which change the way we are able to perform certain procedures, and change the way the patient experiences these procedures.

• Quicker healing times for all procedures.
• Reduced pain.
• Dramatically reduced bleeding, as the laser aids in coagulation of blood vessels.

What is it used for?

Laser dentistry has many applications. Cutting tips (initiated tips) can be used in place of traditional surgical methods, and non-cutting tips (uninitiated tips) can be used for cleaning, bacterial removal, energising tissue to promote healing or growth.

Uninitiated tips

• Treating or promoting healing of apthous ulcers and cold sores.
• Periodontal treatment, including bacterial removal and cleaning.
• Sterilising an endodontic canal.

Initiated tips

• Periodontal treatment. Deep pockets have been healed in many a patient using the techniques that are available for this procedure without having raised a single flap.
• Frenectomies (eliminating ‘tongue-tie’).
• Biopsies.
• Gingival troughing on crowns or fillings. Being a CEREC/composite only user this is excellent as you can have a subgingival margin where the tooth margin is exposed with no bleeding or seeping and no retraction cord required.
• Exposing implants.
• Fiberotomies before debanding an orthodontic case. The scalpel causes bleeding for a long time in these procedures.
• Cosmetic gingivectomies (removal of gum tissue to improve gummy smiles).
• Raising flaps for surgical procedures such as when placing surgical screws for skeletal anchorage in orthodontics. The unattached mucosa that is cut just doesn’t bleed so it becomes a simpler procedure.
• Pericorinitis (inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding a partially erupted tooth).

Why choose us for laser dentistry?

FirstBite Dental now has three lasers, and Dr Agim is an experienced user who lectures in laser dentistry technique around Melbourne. Come and see us today to see how laser dentistry at our Melbourne dental practice can help you.