Laser Dentistry – Nashville, TN

In decades past, dentists had to rely on instruments like scalpels and similar items to perform a range of dental treatments. Today, things are changing! In fact, dentists have been using lasers for more than 20 years to treat a number of oral health problems. Here at Green Hills Dental Center in Nashville, our team uses three different types of lasers to help our patients enjoy precise, comfortable, and high-tech dental treatment. Continue reading this page to learn more about the many wonders of laser dentistry.

What Are Dental Lasers?

Lasers use a special light to deliver energy, which can be directed at tissue for precise cutting (or actually, vaporization of tissue) during a surgical procedure. Our practice has three types of lasers at our disposal:

• Our CO2 laser, also known as a cold laser, is able to produce results very quickly. It is a soft tissue laser that can be used for various procedures.
• Our diode laser is also a soft tissue laser with multiple applications. It works by converting electrical energy into light. It tends to work better on darker tissues and nearly eliminates bleeding in most patients.
• Our Erbium YAG laser is a fast laser with minimal penetration that can be used on hard tissues (teeth) as well as soft tissue and, in some cases, can replace the need for a dental drill. 

Types of Laser Dental Treatments

Dental lasers can be used for a number of purposes, including:

• Excision of suspicious tissues for cancer screening

• Removal of irritating tissue overgrowth
• Treatment of cosmetically unfavorable pigment in tissues
• Instant pain relief for cold sores
• Decreasing tooth sensitivity due to gum recession
• Treatment of bacterial infection in gums
• Elimination of bacteria that can cause breath odor
• Removal of small cavities

Here are a few details about two of the most common ways in which we use dental lasers:

Periodontal Therapy

Gum disease is a dangerous infection. We can use a soft tissue laser to gently remove diseased tissue and kill harmful bacteria in the pockets between the teeth and gums. This can give your mouth the jump-start it needs to recover from gum disease. Periodontal surgery with a laser is much easier on patients than surgery that is performed with old-fashioned instruments.

Gum Recontouring

Some people have gum tissue that extends too far over their teeth. As a result, their teeth appear to be small, and they have what is often referred to as a “gummy smile.” To correct this, we use laser gum recontouring to sculpt a more natural-looking gumline. As excess tissue is removed, the teeth appear longer, and less gum tissue is visible.

The Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Dental lasers offer some outstanding benefits:

• Lasers are effective at killing bacteria, meaning there is almost no risk of infection.
• Because surgical lasers cauterize tissue as they cut, they greatly reduce (or, in some cases, eliminate) bleeding.
• Lasers often allow us to avoid using sutures.
• Recovery times after laser procedures tend to be quite short.
• Lasers are very precise, meaning that they consistently deliver desirable results.
• In some cases, lasers can reduce or eliminate the need for anesthesia and sedation.