Laser dentistry: pain-free and anxiety-free treatments. The benefits of dental lasers for patients

Fear of pain and anxiety about visiting the dentist can have a significant impact on dental health. That is why it is important to know that, nowadays, you can benefit from pain-free, minimally invasive, quick and highly effective treatments thanks to laser dentistry.

Laser treatments are the result of the digital revolution that has significantly changed our way of life and contributed to the modernisation of dentistry. DENT ESTET has consistently invested in equipping its clinics with state-of-the-art technology, because, for us, patient safety and comfort are a priority, and laser dentistry offers long-term benefits for dental health.

For the patient, laser dentistry offers the possibility of achieving as much as possible with as little anaesthetic as possible and with minimal damage to oral tissues.

The Biolase – WaterLase and Epic lasers, used successfully in DENT ESTET clinics, are renowned for their versatility. They can treat a wide range of dental conditions, whether involving hard tissues (teeth and bone) or soft tissues (mucosa, gums).

However, the major advantage offered by the dental laser is a much more pleasant experience for the patient in the dentist’s surgery, thanks to the elimination of pain.

To better understand the benefits of using dental lasers in modern dentistry, we need to highlight the differences between a procedure performed with a laser and one carried out traditionally, using a drill.

Thus, when a dental drill is used, it generates heat and causes pain, as micro-fractures occur in the tooth enamel and dentine due to the vibrations. Consequently, an anaesthetic injection is required, which creates a state of increased discomfort. Furthermore, the micro-fractures that occur in the dentine allow bacteria to infiltrate, thus causing tooth decay.

WaterLase technology is innovative because it combines water, air and laser energy, replacing three instruments used in traditional dentistry – the classic drill, the turbine and the scalpel.

As tooth enamel normally contains up to 5% water, and dentine and bone up to 25%, Biolase researchers have discovered that by using the perfect combination of water, air and laser energy, the result is effective micro-ablation of the tooth structure.

By using water during dental procedures, WaterLase allows for the shaping of tissues (bone or gum) without contact, heat, vibration or pressure, thereby greatly improving the patient experience.

The WaterLase laser is ideal for dental treatments on any type of tissue, allowing the dentist to perform any type of procedure within the oral cavity.

As such, WaterLase can be used in almost all branches of dentistry to treat numerous dental conditions, such as:

• Periodontal disease (periodontitis). As it is less invasive than traditional methods, the laser helps reduce inflammation and bleeding in periodontal pockets. Furthermore, the laser gently removes affected tissue and reduces the number of bacteria, which aids rapid healing;
• Cleaning of carious lesions. In root canal treatments, WaterLase enables deep cleaning and disinfection of the root canal, with bacteria being removed, which facilitates the treatment of the affected tissue;
• Treatment of peri-implantitis. Through the Repair Implant function, WaterLase allows access to the subgingival implant to remove affected tissue as well as the biofilm on the implant. Thanks to the use of water, WaterLase does not damage the screw surface, making it extremely effective in decontaminating and saving the dental implant;
• Adjuvant in root canal treatments. The dental laser is used successfully in endodontics, in root canal treatments and retreatments, as it offers much more predictable results compared to conventional treatment and contributes significantly to keeping the tooth in the arch for as long as possible.

“Thanks to new technologies in dentistry, the patient’s experience in the dentist’s chair is completely different from previous years. Nowadays, treatments can be painless, minimally invasive and bloodless, with the WaterLase laser successfully replacing the traditional drill, turbine and scalpel, which enhances patient comfort. It is important to note that laser treatments are extremely effective for periodontal disease, one of the most common dental conditions. Unfortunately, 50% of the global population suffers from periodontal disease, and 20% of these face a severe form, which can lead to tooth loss,” says Anamaria Ghiurcă, a specialist in periodontology at DENT ESTET.

The benefits of WaterLase technology for patients are numerous:

• treatments are minimally invasive, with significantly reduced pain;
• bleeding is reduced during dental laser procedures compared to those performed with a scalpel;
• high precision, allowing the dentist to easily treat specific areas of the oral cavity or the entire oral cavity;
• increased efficiency, which helps reduce the time spent in the dentist’s chair and leads to much faster treatment results;
• the risk of infection is lower because the laser acts as an antiseptic, sterilising the treated tissue.

But in addition to Waterlase technology, there is also the Epic Biolase® laser, which is widely used in procedures involving the treatment of soft tissue.

According to Biolase, the Epic Pro laser has the highest power output of any laser in dentistry. It cuts four times faster than a conventional diode laser, with automatic power control for a precise and uniform result.

This dental laser significantly reduces bleeding and the post-procedure recovery period and ensures high treatment success rates.

The benefits of using the Biolase Epic laser are numerous:

• Procedures are faster and more efficient;
• Healing and recovery are faster;
• Fear and anxiety associated with visiting the dentist are reduced;
• Post-operative discomfort and pain will be minimal or even non-existent.

Furthermore, Epic Biolase® can also be used as a biostimulator, accelerating the healing process and pain relief, whilst stimulating collagen production. It is an ideal digital anti-inflammatory solution for patients who fear the dentist precisely because of the pain involved. With this dental laser, traditional treatments are a thing of the past.