Dental lasers harness light energy for various treatments, allowing for the gentle shaping of soft tissue. This versatile technology is suitable for patients of all ages.
What are the Benefits of Laser Dentistry?
- Used for periodontal disease treatment
- Faster healing with faster, more efficient tissue regeneration
- More precise treatment, with minimal damage to surrounding tissue
Laser Gum Treatment
Gum disease, a bacterial infection, can cause severe damage to the gums and jawbone if left untreated. Periodontal Regenerative Therapy (PRT) is an effective procedure for treating gum disease. It uses a dental laser to remove bacterial infections and smooth the gum tissue, preventing further damage. PRT is a minimally invasive procedure with minimal discomfort and recovery time. PRT is another term for Periodontal Regenerative Therapy, and it is recommended for people who want to avoid surgery or are unsuitable for surgery. The benefits of laser-assisted gum treatment include reduced pain, swelling, bleeding, tooth sensitivity, gum loss, faster healing, and fewer post-op infections.
Photobiomodulation Therapy
Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBM) is a non-invasive light treatment that repairs damaged cells and promotes healing. It uses red and near-infrared light to decrease inflammation, pain, and swelling and speed recovery. PBM therapy is safe, effective, and recommended after oral surgery to alleviate pain, promote oral lesion healing, and improve various conditions. The therapy works by applying specific wavelengths of light to tissues, which are absorbed by chromophores and convert light energy into usable energy for cell repair. It is considered safe, with minimal discomfort during treatment.
Lip and Tongue Tie
Tongue and lip ties are the result of thick or malformed oral tissues. Tongue ties occur when the lingual frenulum (the membrane connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is thick, short, or malformed. The tongue’s tip becomes attached to the floor of the mouth, restricting the regular movement and function of the tongue. Lip ties happen when the frenulum connecting the upper or lower lip to the gums is thick, short, or improperly formed, thus affecting the lip’s mobility.
One of the most common and easily recognizable indications of the presence of lip and tongue ties in a child is difficulty in breastfeeding. Common symptoms include:
* Difficulty latching on to the mother’s breast
* Struggle breathing during feeding
* The child makes a clicking sound during nursing
* The child often falls asleep often while nursing
* The child becomes tired after nursing
* Slow or lack of weight gain
* Colic or gastric problems
And for the breastfeeding mother, this condition may manifest as the following symptoms:
* Pain in the breast during or after breastfeeding
* Fatigue from breastfeeding
* Blocked milk ducts or mastitis
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Affect the Baby’s Nourishment?
A lip or tongue tie restricts the movement of a baby’s lip or tongue, and this can impact their ability to breastfeed or eat. A baby with a lip or tongue tie will find it difficult to latch or swallow properly as their tongue cannot reach out far enough to latch onto the mother’s breast. If the baby is unable to latch properly, the baby may not get enough milk, and this can lead to excessive weight loss. If they are unable to eat properly, the baby can suffer malnutrition.