The use of lasers in the dental industry has been increasing in the past couple of years. There are many advantages of lasers including less pain for patients, minimizing swelling and bleeding during dental procedures, and better preservation of the patient's teeth.
While lasers take away the anxiety of some dental patients, they can still be unnerving for others. Both dental patients have a negative, skeptical view of lasers.
This fear of lasers most likely comes from the misconception that all lasers contain dangerous x-ray light and radiation that destroys the tissue and can cause possible health issues such as birth defects and cancer.
Lasers are used in many industries including medical and optical. Lasers have been used in dentistry since the early 1990s.
While the lasers used in these fields are powerful and risky, when they are operated and handled by a trained doctor or specialist, they are completely safe.
In fact, the benefits they provide far outweigh their risks.
Reasons to Not Fear Lasers
They Provide Better, More Comfortable Treatment
Lasers can correct and treat a variety of dental conditions ranging from cavity fillings to teeth whitening to root canals. The accuracy and power of lasers allow dentists to quickly and effectively treat their patients while providing less pain and discomfort to the patient.
Invasive dental procedures, such as crowns and root canal therapy that traditionally have scared people away from the dentist are now able to be done faster, have less recovery time and causes less pain and discomfort to the patient.
The dreaded drilling, scraping, pain, discomfort, and time some dental procedures gave to dental patients in the past are all but eliminated by the pinpoint power of lasers. Lasers are so powerful they can effectively, and quickly reshape teeth and gums in a way that is less painful and have less swelling and bleeding.
They Are Preferred by Patients With the Fear of the Dentist
The effectiveness of lasers in dentistry has calmed the fears of many dental patients who have been afraid of visiting the dentist.
Patients who are afraid of the dentist fear the sounds, smells, and possible pain and discomfort from dental procedures.
More dentists are treating their patients with lasers because many patients who would otherwise shy away from getting their teeth treated are willing to venture into the dentist's office when lasers are used.
If patients who are afraid of the dentist are attracted to getting treated with lasers, then there should be little reason to fear them.
High Laser Safety and Regulations
The radiation and burn dangers of lasers are minimized through proper use and handling. Like doctors and eye care specialists, dentists must take extensive training and get certified to be able to use lasers in their practices.
The FDA has regulations on laser dental equipment that maximizes safety by limiting accidents. Safety controls, air ventilation systems, and non-reflective coverings of equipment keep lasers from accidental use from someone who isn't proficient in their use, from inhalation of fumes from evaporated tissue and from the accidental reflection of laser light.
All dental offices that offer laser treatments have protective aprons, breathing masks, and eyewear for both the patient and dentist that provide further protection from inadvertent laser accidents.
If you have any doubts, don't be afraid to ask your dentist about their laser dental education, experience, and credentials.
Lasers in your dental office are nothing to fear. They offer many advantages over traditional dental treatments. The strict safety precautions and their preferences among anxious dental patients make them be embraced, not feared.