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Lasers have a number of important uses in dentistry. Probably the most useful one in our opinion is their ability to decontaminate surfaces. They can focus a huge amount of energy in a small area which can be used to destroy bacterial cells in an instant!

The people who benefit most from laser therapy are usually those with active bacterial infections in the mouth. The most common of these is periodontal disease where nasty bacteria invade the bone around the teeth and cause bone loss which is usually irreversible.

The standard treatment for this has been scaling and root planing for many years. Physically removing chunks of tartar from under the gumline. The problem with this has always been that it is almost impossible to remove all the bacteria...This is where lasers come into their own...

After traditional cleaning is done lasers can be used to decontaminate & eliminate the remaining aggressive bugs from under the gums. There is no hiding place for bacteria when a laser is used... After laser therapy the gum & bone have the very best chance of healing properly.

Another time lasers are really useful is for peri-implantitis. This is inflammation and bone loss around dental implants. If left unchecked this can lead to loss of the implants & the teeth they support...

With lasers we are able to gently decontaminate the surface of the implant which is extremely difficult, if not impossible, with traditional instruments.