Laser Dentistry![]() “The future of dental care!”At Amir Sanjabi, DDS, we use lasers as a non-invasive alternative treatment for cavity treatment, gum surgery or other oral issues. Laser surgery became commercially available for tooth procedures in 1989 and have made dental treatments more comfortable, cost-effective and quick. The Food and Drug Administration has approved laser dental surgery for at least 20 procedures. Our Laser Dentistry ServicesLANAP® LaserThe LANAP procedure we offer at our dentist office in Downey, California, is far superior to the traditional way of cleaning bacteria from patients’ gums. Manually cleaning out gum infections involves cutting away some of the gum tissue, which is painful and takes a long time to heal. Our dentist uses LANAP laser therapy, which uses a simple laser light to clean away the infection, with little to no pain or healing time. It’s important to treat periodontitis ASAP, or you may suffer tooth loss. Dental implants are more trouble (and more expensive) than treatment for gum disease. Read more about LANAP® Laser. LAPIP™ LaserLAPIP laser treatment is very much like LANAP — our dentist cleans bacteria and infection out of gum tissue with a laser. However, LAPIP is only for those with dental implants. LANAP is used with natural teeth. As important as it is for your dentist to save your natural teeth, you also don’t want to lose your tooth implant. Dental implants can be costly, and you want to avoid going through the procedure twice. At our Downey, California, dental clinic, our dentist is specially trained in both LANAP and LAPIP procedures. Make an appointment today to get healthier gums. Read more about LAPIP™ Laser. Gum Depigmentation / Gum BleachingAre you self-conscious about the color of your gums? Dark red or brown-colored gums are not always unhealthy, but they can be considered unattractive. At our Downey, CA, dental clinic, our dentist can perform gum depigmentation on you to lighten the color of your gums, giving them a pinker appearance. With gum bleaching, our dentist removes the thin top layer of your gums with a laser, revealing their true color underneath. We also use lasers to contour gums to correct a “gummy” smile, hasten healing of canker and cold sores, and improve how dentures fit. Read more about Gum Depigmentation. Types of Lasers Used in DentistryDentists use two main types of lasers: hard tissue lasers and soft tissue lasers. Each laser works with a different wavelength and pulse of light that is appropriate for cutting into specific kinds of tissues. Hard Tissue LasersHard tissue lasers are designed to cut through water and bone, especially hydroxyapatite, the calcium phosphate salt found in your teeth. These lasers are precision instruments that can cut very accurately into your teeth. They are used to prepare and shape your tooth by removing small amounts of tooth structure. However, hard tissue laser treatments may take more time than conventional drills because of the precise nature of laser cutting. Hard tissue lasers are used for:
Soft Tissue LasersSoft tissue lasers use light wavelengths that are designed to impact hemoglobin — an iron-rich protein found in the blood — and water. These lasers are perfect for cutting into soft tissue and sealing blood vessels quickly. This results in less bleeding and quicker healing time. Soft tissue lasers can also create a trough around excess gum tissue for dental access and increased visibility. They can also treat periodontal disease by removing the infected gum tissue and promoting healing. Additionally, soft tissue lasers are used for:
Some other laser dentistry procedures include:
Advantages of Using Laser DentistryThere are several benefits of laser dentistry over other treatment methods:
Limitations of Using Laser DentistryAs with all dental procedures, laser dentistry also has a few limitations:
At Amir Sanjabi, DDS, we have sought training in the use of hard and soft lasers. Schedule an appointment by calling us at (562) 869-0928 to see if laser dentistry is right for you. |