How Can a Laser Remove Tooth Decay?

Lasers were first used in the dental field more than 50 years ago, and since that time their uses have rapidly expanded and improved. Today, advanced dentistry specialists like Whole Body Dental use laser technology to precisely treat tooth decay with virtually no pain.

In our Bellevue, Washington practice, we take a holistic, patient-centered approach to dental care. We focus on preserving natural teeth with minimally invasive procedures and biocompatible materials. All of that makes laser dentistry a perfect fit for our patients. Here's how it works for tooth decay.

How laser dentistry treats tooth decay

The traditional method of treating tooth decay is with mechanical drills that cut into the teeth and remove the decayed portions.

In contrast, a hard tissue laser uses concentrated light energy to gently vaporize decay. The laser focuses light on the decay, which interacts with the water and minerals inside the tooth enamel. This selectively removes the decay while leaving the surrounding healthy tooth structure intact.

Because the laser process is so gentle, it consistently leads to better patient experiences and more efficient treatment.

Benefits of laser dentistry over traditional methods

There are many advantages of using a laser to remove tooth decay versus a drill. Some of our favorite benefits are:

Calmer, more comfortable procedures

Up to 36% of Americans experience dental anxiety. When patients with dental anxiety describe why they're fearful, it frequently involves fear of a painful or uncomfortable experience in the dentist's chair. Drill noises and vibrations often play a role too.

The laser doesn't generate excessive heat, vibrations, or pressure, nor does it make loud noises. So, laser dentistry solves these issues effectively without requiring anesthesia, which means no needle sticks. Patients find their experience calm and comfortable, which can be enormously helpful to anyone with dental anxiety.

Less damage to healthy tooth structure

Traditional drilling methods often remove some healthy tooth enamel along with the decayed parts of the tooth because drilling is less precise than a laser.

In contrast, laser dentistry precisely targets decayed areas while preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible. This helps maintain tooth strength and longevity for the long term.

Lower risk of infection

Laser energy is multifaceted: It also sterilizes the treatment area as it works. This dramatically lowers the risk of bacterial infections.

Faster healing

Because laser treatments are less invasive and cause minimal disruption to surrounding tissues, healing times tend to be much faster than with traditional methods.

Experience the future of dentistry

If you need a filling but dread the drill, laser dentistry may be the perfect solution. Connect with us online or call our office at 425-643-1231 to book your appointment with one of our experienced dentists at Whole Body Dental today.