Dental and Oral Laser Treatments are clinically proven procedures that target bacteria associated with periodontal disease and many other systemic diseases.
We are constantly striving to improve the standard of care that we provide to our patients. With that in mind, we are proud to provide you a service that painlessly treats oral infections, and benefits you long after your treatments.
Overview of Dental Laser Treatments
- The Benefits of Oral Laser Treatments
- Are You a Candidate?
- Laser Bacterial Reduction
- Laser Treatment for Cold Sores
- Laser Treatment for Desensitization
- Laser Treatments for Periodontal Disease
The Benefits of Oral Laser Treatments
Dental laser treatments provide many benefits including:
- Reduced inflammation, bleeding and faster healing.
- Low level laser energy kills the bacteria that create oral infection.
- Bacterial colonies are reduced from billions to hundreds.
- Bacterial formation is delayed after your first hygiene appointment.
- Targets the significant bacteria associated with periodontal destruction and many systemic diseases.
- Non-surgical approach and better treatment outcomes.
Are You a Candidate?
Yes! Everyone is a candidate for laser treatment. Some patients may see more direct benefits right away, anyone is a candidate for laser treatment since the bacteria are so small, you cannot see them.
If you suffer from cold sores, mouth ulcers, gum disease or sensitive gums, laser treatment may be a great solution for you.
Laser Bacterial Reduction
At Parkway Dentistry, we are trained in Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR). While we can improve the health of your gums with oral rinses, some harmful bacteria remain and will do their best to re-establish themselves below your gums, especially if cleaning between your teeth is not a regular practice.
LBR is a painless and effective way to continue to target and kill the bacteria that will create an oral infection. It takes only about 10 minutes and reduces bacteria colonies from billions to hundreds. This delays bacterial formation after your oral hygiene appointment.
This can be done after every visit for optimal prevention, or ideally for 2-3 visits after an OraVital treatment so bacteria can be reduced/shifted to a much healthier balance.
Laser Treatment for Cold Sores
If topical ointments and lip balms just aren’t doing the trick for you, you may be interested in trying laser treatment.
What is a cold sore?
Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Type 1 virus. Herpes are highly contagious blisters that occur on the lips, cheeks or chin for many different reasons. Some of these reasons include stress or over exposure to the sun.
Oral aphthous ulcers, and cold sores that appear on the lip area can be extremely uncomfortable or painful. While there is currently no cure, the average lifetime of an outbreak can last around 2 weeks.
Laser treatment for cold sores
If you catch a cold sore in the beginning stages where tingling or subtle pain is occurring, laser treatments can stop the outbreak before it surfaces. Most people who get cold sores often get them in the same areas of their mouth and can sense when one is coming.
Laser treatments can help reduce pain and shorten the healing time. If you are unable to catch it in time and have already started to develop a blister, laser treatments can still provide much needed aid. As the laser works to breakdown the nerve cells creating instant relief and increasing the production of collagen which helps the patient heal faster.
What to expect
- During the treatment you may experience a gentle warmth, but no pain.
- The laser treatment is performed without touching the lesion.
- Fast, easy and painless.
Note: Herpetic lesions (cold sores) are highly contagious and cannot be treated while the lesion is in the vesicle stage.
Laser Treatment for Desensitization
What is dentinal hypersensitivity (DH)? Dentinal hypersensitivity is defined as “pain derived from exposed dentin in response to […] stimuli which cannot be explained as arising from any other dental defect or disease.”
Sensitive teeth can really impact your lifestyle and take the pleasure out of enjoying things like cold ice cream, ice cold beverages, and even certain treats. Tooth sensitivity can occur when ingesting cold or even hot drinks, foods or exposing teeth to cold air.
While conventional methods of sensitivity treatment include toothpastes, bonding and sealants can help, the help is mostly temporary. If you suffer from prolonged tooth sensitivity, laser treatments are the perfect solution for you.
Laser treatments are a cost effective and conservative way to treat annoying sensitive spots in just a matter of minutes. The effects of laser treatment for sensitivity are immediate and there is no need for anaesthesia.
If you suffer from sensitive teeth or sensitive gums, our desensitization laser treatments may be the perfect fit for you.
Laser Treatments for Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) affects 80% of adults and is often silent until it is in its advanced stages.
The medical and dental communities are now alerted to the fact that there is strong evidence linking those with gum disease to being at greater risk for heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers, osteoporosis (bone loss), strokes, Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
This knowledge has given us strong reason to not only mechanically remove the bacteria and deposits during your professional hygiene cleaning appointment, but also to additionally address the underlying infection— the ‘hard to reach’ bacteria that cause gum disease in the first place.
Is the procedure painless?
The laser procedure is painless. It takes approximately 8-10 minutes and produces no adverse side effects.
A commitment to regular preventive hygiene visits and daily self-care are integral to ensuring you achieve the best possible treatment outcomes from the laser.
How much does Laser Bacterial Reduction cost?
The cost for Laser Bacterial Reduction, in conjunction with your hygiene therapy appointment is $58.00. This cost may or may not be covered by your dental insurance.
Get In Touch With Us
When you schedule your next appointment, ask your dental hygienist about the treatment. They will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and determine of laser treatments are right for you.