Laser Technology - A New Age For Dentistry And An improved Experience For Patients
Article Source: HealthSnare.com
When the laser was first invented nobody was completely sure of what its use would be, but today laser technology is popular in many disciplines; science, communication and industry to name but a few. The laser has completely changed the face of modern medicine; it is used in most areas such as acupuncture, fertility, dermatology and surgery.
Impact on surgical procedures
The impact of the laser on surgical procedures is probably the most significant. By replacing the traditional scalpel with a simple beam of light, an invasive and complicated surgical procedure can become a much lesser ordeal for both the patient and the health service. Laser surgery is comparatively bloodless; the heat of the laser keeps the wound germ free and therefore lessens the risk of infection; and because in some surgical procedures the laser prevents the surgeon having to physically cut a patient open, the healing time is much quicker and much less painful; not to mention the fact that a simple laser makes any surgery less time consuming and therefore more economical. The advantages of lasers in medicine are somewhat startling when you think of what the invention has made possible in such a short period of time. These developments have all occurred within the last two decades.
Impact on dentistry
The laser has also had a massive impact on the face of dentistry. Lasers have been used in dentistry since the nineties but never on a big scale. The laser is still quite controversial in dentistry and some dentists are still quite wary of offering treatments using lasers. It is still quite a new thing but there is no denying that its popularity is increasing and with it so are the number of dentists that offer laser procedures to their patients.
The dental treatments that incorporate laser technology are still few; it's unlikely you'll find a need for laser treatment at your average check up. In some areas of dentistry though, dentists are finding its uses. For instance, the laser can help in treating tooth decay as it can remove decay within a tooth and prepare the surrounding enamel for a filling. A laser may also be useful in treating gum disease as it can be used it to reshape the gums or remove bacteria. It is also extremely useful in performing biopsies within the mouth and removing legions. Teeth whitening also, which is another increasingly popular dental procedure, is aided by laser technology. When you visit the dentist for that brighter smile a laser speeds up the process by enhancing the effects of the tooth bleaching agents with its powerful heat source.
These are just a few of the dental procedures enhanced by the introduction of laser technology to dentistry. The technology is still quickly advancing however, and I doubt it will be long before the laser does pop up at your six-monthly check up.
Benefits of laser procedures
Better for all of us
The benefits of laser technology in dentistry are similar to those in surgical procedures. It's less invasive, meaning less trauma, less pain and a reduced risk of infection. One of the biggest successes for the patient however, is that a laser is much less petrifying than the sound of the dentist drill warming up. It's a sound that unnerves even the bravest patient and by replacing the dental drill with a laser it becomes a much more comfortable experience for everyone.
So does this spell the end of dentist chair terror? Time will tell. Laser technology is fast removing every element of a trip to the dentist that we fear the most. And with the fascinating and fast moving advancements in medical science, this is becoming a very real possibility.
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Article Submitted By:
Matthew Etherington
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Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 Time: 9:40 PM
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