Let us tell you about something that changes the way patients experience dental treatment. It’s quieter than a drill. Gentler on your gums. And for a lot of common procedures, it means less bleeding, faster healing, and often no numbing at all. It’s called laser dentistry. And we use it at AH Smiles to make your visit more comfortable.
What Is a Dental Laser?
A dental laser is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a focused beam of light that we can use to remove or shape soft tissue (like your gums) and even some hard tissue (like tooth structure). Different wavelengths work better for different jobs.
Lasers are precise. They target only the area we’re working on without disturbing the surrounding tissue. And because the laser seals blood vessels and nerve endings as it goes, there’s often less bleeding and less discomfort afterward.
No vibration. No loud drilling noises. Just a focused beam of light doing the work.
What We Use Lasers For
Not every procedure is right for a laser. But for the ones that are, patients consistently tell us they prefer it.
- Gum disease treatment: One of our most common uses for the laser is treating periodontal disease. The laser can reach into the pockets between your teeth and gums, removing diseased tissue and bacteria while leaving healthy tissue alone. It’s less invasive than traditional gum surgery, and healing is usually faster.
- Gum reshaping: Some patients have what we call a “gummy smile.” Their teeth look short because too much gum tissue covers them. The laser can precisely reshape that gumline, exposing more of the tooth and creating a more balanced smile.
- Frenectomies:Â That little piece of tissue connecting your upper lip to your gums or your tongue to the floor of your mouth is called a frenum. When it’s too tight, it can cause problems like a lip gap or restricted tongue movement. A laser frenectomy takes just minutes with almost no bleeding.
- Cavity preparation: For small to medium cavities, we can sometimes use a laser to remove decay instead of a drill. No vibration. No pressure. Some patients don’t even need numbing.
What the Experience Feels Like
We start by numbing the area if needed. For deeper work, you’ll want to be comfortable. For surface work, sometimes we don’t numb at all.
Then we use a thin laser fiber between your tooth and gum. You might feel a slight warmth or a tapping sensation. You’ll hear a gentle clicking sound, nothing like the whine of a drill. The whole process for one area takes just a few minutes.
Afterward, there’s no cutting, no stitches, and usually very little bleeding. Most patients go right back to their normal day.
Why We Choose Laser When We Can
We believe in using the right tool for the right job. Lasers aren’t always the answer. But when they are, we reach for them because they make the experience better for you.
Less anxiety from the sound and vibration. Less discomfort during and after. Faster healing in many cases. And for procedures that used to require scalpels and stitches, we can often do the same work with a focused beam of light.
Is Laser Dentistry Right for You?
If you’ve been putting off gum treatment because you’ve heard stories about gum surgery, or if the sound of the drill makes you tense up, laser dentistry might change the way you think about dental visits. The best way to find out is to let us take a look. We’ll explain your options, including whether laser treatment makes sense for your specific situation.
Our team at AH Smiles serves patients from Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Deerfield, and Northbrook. Give us a call. A quieter, gentler experience might be closer than you think.