A relatively recent technique in the dental industry is laser dentistry treatment. This tool can be used to treat both hard tissue (teeth) and soft tissue (gums) and offers an alternative to drills and other non-laser tools.

At Richard Hardt D.D.S. in Porterville, CA, our goal is to help you maintain your healthy smile with the latest and most cutting-edge technology possible.

What is laser dentistry used for?

By delivering energy in the form of a concentrated beam of light, a laser can act as a tool for vaporizing soft tissue in gum removal procedures, or a heat source in the case of cauterization or whitening treatment.

There are several ways that laser dentistry can be used as a substitute for other dental techniques, usually for the added comfort of the patient. Since a dental laser removes the need for more traditional tools, it often helps reduce the anxiety of our patients when they undergo a procedure.

Laser Dentistry for Teeth

• Cavity Detection: lasers can find evidence of early tooth decay
• Decay Removal: tooth decay can be removed and enamel can be prepped for fillings
• Sensitivity Treatment: dental lasers treat sensitive teeth by sealing tubules on their roots
• Teeth Whitening: the heat from dental lasers activates the whitening solution

Laser Dentistry for Gums

• Reshape Gum Tissue: the precision cut of a laser can reshape your smile
• Biopsy: dental lasers can remove lesions to test them for cancer
• Gum Disease: bacterial removal during root canals is aided by dental lasers
• Soft-Tissue Removal: folds caused by ill-fitting dentures can be removed without sutures

Diode Laser

Our team at Richard Hardt D.D.S. is excited to use a diode laser in our laser dentistry treatment. By using wavelengths that vary in nanometers, the diode laser can easily perform restorative dental work and treat soft tissues.

Dental problems we treat with the diode laser include:

• Canker sores
• Gum disease
• Aesthetic enhancement

The precision of the diode laser also allows Dr. Hardt and Dr. Monterroso to contour your gum tissue and remove the gum over unerupted teeth. In many procedures, this tool can perform multiple functions since it is both a cutting instrument and a source of heat.

Why use a diode laser in dentistry?

Since it doesn’t produce a lot of heat, the diode laser is both safe and effective when it comes to treating gingivitis and other periodontal diseases.

This is a very versatile treatment option and it is gentler than traditional surgery. Our team loves this tool because it is more comfortable for you and ensures that your mouth heals faster with less swelling than it typically would following a procedure.

Diode lasers are not only a gentle option for soft tissue treatment, they also make it possible for patients with difficulties (like pacemakers) to undergo procedures they otherwise could not.

Contact Us

To determine if laser dentistry is the right technique for you, make an online appointment to visit our Porterville, CA office or call us at (559)-784-6523.