Laser Dentistry!

Many people have now heard of laser dentistry.  I am often surprised how few people have experienced laser dentistry or know exactly how it is changing the face of dentistry, for adults and children! Below is a cut and paste from our website which describes all the wonderful ways lasers are making dentistry better.

Lasers in Dentistry!

• With lasers it is now possible to do fillings without needing to be numb or have a shot because lasers enable pain free cleaning of cavities
• Lasers can replace harmful chemicals historically and usually used in nerve and pulp treatments like root canals and pulpotomies
• Lasers allow many gum surgeries such as frenectomies and reshaping of “bulky gums” (like after braces) to be done without shots and without any post operative bleeding or “stitches” and no scarring!
• Lasers can be used on newborns and infants who are unable to latch because of tight frenum attachments and who cannot have the traditional surgery most often done in a hospital setting for various reasons
• Lasers can be used on infants and young children with speech problems related to muscle attachments in their mouths
• Lasers can be used to do biopsies or other surgeries less invasively and with little or no post operative pain and little to no scarring
• Lasers can be used to remove “calculus” build up instead of the old fashioned “scaling”
• Lasers can be used to “sterilize” deep pockets in gingivitis and gum disease and create healing in those areas without surgery
• Bleaching can be done in 2 minutes for the entire mouth without sensitivity or dehydration of teeth using the newest type of laser
• Lasers can prevent the outbreak of a cold sores if treated in the “prodrome stage”
• Lasers can “heal” painful ulcers in the mouth in one short treatment

These are just some of the applications of lasers in dentistry.  As a pediatric dentist I am thrilled to be able to clean cavities and place fillings without giving shots to children.  So far at Kidstown Dental, not one shot has been needed for a filling.  I have worked with lasers for 4 years now, and in the past some kids still felt sensitivity and needed a little anesthetic.  There is still a chance from time to time that this could be the case, but with the newest Biolase hard tissue laser, I am finding that it is rare.  What a gift!

Feel free to blog in if you have questions about lasers, or if you have an experience with laser dentistry that you’d like to share.

"No-gag" x-rays at Kidstown Dental in Katy!

First I keep forgetting to copy/paste this blog.  For those of you who follow on this site, you may want to switch over to AmyLuedemann@wordpress.com for the updates.  Eventually I will be closing this blog out.  Here is our most recent post from Wordpress.

It has been 2.5 weeks since we began seeing patients in earnest.  Thank you to those who have come and been so patient about the small glitches that had to be worked out.  Today's post will be short, but I just have to begin giving highlights from the past couple of weeks!

First, x-rays!  I have to admit, I was very excited about our new Plan Mecca Pan machine, and it's high tech feature of being able to get diagnostic (good) bitewings, without any gagging that the intra-oral x-rays (inside the mouth type) cause for many people.  Not only does the "feature list" boast of the great bitewing x-rays, but it is also less radiation than traditional bitewings!  Needless to say, working with many special needs patients and young children who have cavities or risk for cavities but who just couldn't get through the x-rays, we were excited about the new machine.  We were also "crossing our fingers" because other machines have, that have come before, have said they take these types of x-rays.  This is one of the first ones that actually does take "true bitewings" rather than just distorting a Panoramic x-ray to look like bitewings (which is much less diagnostic, or usable.)  

Okay, I know that was a little technical, but here is the real joy in the story.  In the past 2 weeks, 4 children with Autism who have never been able to have bitewings were able to take this type of film and did great!  Two had cavities and these bitewings gave the parents and I valuable information so that we could know how to best proceed.  Several other children who just couldn't take the intra-oral x-rays because of gagging or sensory issues were also able to have the Pan-bitewings.  The x-rays are turning out much better than my expectations.  I am so pleased we have this machine to make going to the dentist easier and less traumatic for our kiddos!

In regard to this type of x-ray I have had one parent ask the very astute question, "If it is less radiation and easier to take, why not default to using this one all the time for everyone?"  Well, we may eventually do that, but at this time, the intra-oral x-rays are still the "gold" standard.  With cooperation and no gagging we can predictably get quality, highly-diagnostic x-rays.  So we will continue to start with those type of x-rays, but now we have an extra tool in the box for when we need the information of bitewings but a child just can't tolerate them.

Sun if fully risen, and this day is beautiful!  I look forward to sending more highlights in the next few days.  Until then blessings and I hope to see you soon!