Going to the dentist is a source of anxiety for many people. The drilling, scraping, and picking can be scary and sometimes painful. But thankfully there are types of dentistry that can be anxiety and pain free.

Here at LB Dental, one of the main technologies we use is WaterLase. WaterLase is a type of laser that uses the least amount of numbing or drilling– sometimes even none at all– to fill cavities and perform other dental procedures. Waterlase Dentistry was created specifically to fix decayed and damaged teeth, and treat gum and other soft tissues in your mouth safely and comfortably. It works by putting laser energy together with the natural elements of water and air. The outer enamel in our teeth, the hardest and most mineralized substance in the human body, also contains water. So does the dentin, the substance underneath the enamel, and the next layer, the cementum, which covers the root of the tooth.

How exactly does Waterlase work?

When the laser hits the tooth, it causes the water molecules in the tooth to vibrate and in turn makes it easy to cut through the tooth. Traditional dental drills use contact, heat, vibration, and pressure, which makes anesthetics necessary. WaterLase performs “micro-ablation,” or the removal of tissue. The WaterLase laser is also constantly spraying water to keep your teeth and mouth hydrated and minimize pain.

Using WaterLase dentistry means you can go in for your annual checkup and cleaning, and if we find a cavity during the exam, it’s easy and painless to take care of the cavity at the same time. The WaterLase laser is also very precise and can cut, shape, and etch into tissue, teeth or bone, which minimizes the risk for cracks or other tooth damage during a procedure.

Quicker healing time with Waterlase

There is also less healing time after a WaterLase procedure. There is very little gum bleeding and swelling, since the laser is able to stick to a small, precise area. This could potentially lessen the need for additional cavities, root canals, crowns, and bridges in the future by preserving surrounding healthy tooth and tissue. WaterLase is also versatile and can be used on teeth, gums, and bone, so the dentist doesn’t have to be switching tools often. It can be used to remove plaque, fill a cavity, perform a root canal, do surgical procedures on bone, remove infected pieces of gum or tissue, and much more. This saves you the time and money of having to go to a specialist for different procedures.

If you would like to learn more or schedule an appointment, please give us a call today at 602-482-5100. We’re here to help.