Laser dentistry was first explored in the 1960s, but did not become widespread until the late 90s and early 2000s. Contact us now to explore the benefits of laser dentistry in Towne Lake and Cypress from Cavity Patrol Pediatric Dentistry.
When performing a procedure with a soft tissue laser, Dr. Julia and Dr. Chun usually do not need to use numbing needles or sedation. This is because the laser “cauterizes” the flesh it touches on contact, sealing nerve endings and ensuring a pain-free experience.
Your child will not have to experience any pain or discomfort during their treatment, which makes it easier for them to get the care they need, even if they’re anxious about an upcoming appointment.
Because the soft tissue laser seals up the tissue it contacts, this reduces bleeding significantly, and virtually eliminates the need for sutures. This simplifies your child’s procedure, helps with faster healing, and reduces the need for follow-up appointments at Cavity Patrol Pediatric Dentistry.
Because your child will have a more smooth, comfortable, and pain-free experience, they will be less likely to develop feelings of fear or anxiety about dentistry, especially since Dr. Chu and Dr. Julia specialize in kind, caring pediatric dentistry.
Soft tissue lasers use a special machine to generate a very high-powered light. This light is sent through a clear fiber-optic tip, which it heats up to an extremely high temperature. The tip of the laser is so hot that it basically “vaporizes” gum tissue and other soft tissue upon contact.
This means that it can be used as an alternative to other cutting tools like scalpels or surgical scissors to remove soft tissue from the mouth in a variety of dental treatments.
Soft tissue lasers can be used in any procedure where soft tissue from the tongue, cheeks, gums, or any other part of the mouth must be removed. In kids, dental lasers are often used to perform frenectomies for tongue and lip ties, to remove canker sores, and to reshape the gums or remove gum tissue for certain orthodontic treatments.
As mentioned, numbing and sedation are not usually necessary for most treatments using a soft tissue laser, but we do offer them if your child is anxious or you think they could benefit from additional anesthesia during their appointment.
Dr. Julia or Dr. Chun will begin the procedure by heating up the tip of the soft tissue laser. Once it’s ready, they will begin your child’s treatment. The specifics of this vary depending on your child’s treatment, such as a frenectomy for a tongue tie or the removal of a canker sore.
Once your child’s treatment is done, you’ll be given instructions on how to care for your child’s mouth and what to expect after treatment. While soft tissue lasers are much less invasive than traditional dental tools, you will still need to take a few special steps to make sure your child’s healing and recovery go smoothly.