Fotona Laser Dentistry: Advanced Technology for More Comfortable, Precise Dental Care

Modern dentistry continues to become more precise, conservative, and patient-friendly. One of the technologies helping make this possible is the Fotona dental laser.

Fotona laser systems give dentists the ability to perform a wide range of procedures involving both the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth. Depending on the procedure, laser dentistry may reduce the need for traditional instruments, provide exceptional precision, help control bleeding, and make certain treatments more comfortable for patients.

For people who are nervous about dental treatment—or who simply want to know whether a more advanced and minimally invasive approach is available—Fotona laser dentistry can provide exciting treatment possibilities.

What Is a Fotona Dental Laser?

Fotona is an internationally recognized manufacturer of medical and dental laser systems with decades of experience in laser technology.

One of the distinguishing features of Fotona’s LightWalker dental technology is the combination of two complementary laser wavelengths: Er:YAG and Nd:YAG.

Why are two wavelengths important?

Different tissues in the mouth respond differently to laser energy. Teeth, bone, gums, blood vessels, and other soft tissues do not all have the same characteristics. Having two complementary wavelengths gives the dentist greater versatility and allows the laser to be used for many different clinical applications.

The Er:YAG wavelength is highly absorbed by water and is particularly useful for precise treatment of both hard and soft dental tissues. This makes it valuable for procedures involving tooth structure as well as certain surgical applications.

The Nd:YAG wavelength interacts differently with tissue and can be particularly useful when treating soft tissue, controlling bleeding, and performing laser-assisted periodontal and other procedures.

By combining these technologies in one system, Fotona gives appropriately trained dentists a remarkably versatile treatment platform.

What Are the Benefits of Fotona Laser Dentistry?

The benefits vary depending on the particular procedure and the patient’s individual condition. However, laser-assisted dentistry can offer several advantages.

1. Exceptional Precision

One of the greatest benefits of laser dentistry is precision.

Dental treatment often involves working within extremely small areas. The dentist may be removing decay while trying to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible or treating a small area of gum tissue without unnecessarily disturbing neighboring tissue.

Fotona laser technology gives the dentist considerable control over how energy is delivered to the treatment area.

This precision fits naturally with the philosophy of minimally invasive dentistry: treat what needs to be treated while preserving healthy tissue whenever clinically possible.

2. Less Reliance on the Traditional Dental Drill for Certain Procedures

For many people, the sound and vibration of a dental drill are among the least enjoyable parts of visiting the dentist.

The Fotona Er:YAG laser can be used for certain hard-tissue procedures, including selected cavity preparations.

Instead of relying entirely on a rotating bur to mechanically cut the tooth, laser energy can remove targeted dental tissue.

Not every cavity or restorative procedure can or should be completed entirely with a laser. Traditional dental instruments remain important. However, when laser treatment is appropriate, patients may experience less of the familiar vibration and mechanical sensation associated with conventional drilling.

For patients with dental anxiety, that difference can be significant.

3. A More Comfortable Dental Experience

Patient comfort is one of the most important considerations in modern dentistry.

Because lasers interact with tissue differently from conventional instruments, certain laser procedures may be performed with less vibration and mechanical contact.

Depending on the treatment and the individual patient, this can contribute to a more comfortable experience.

Some laser procedures may also require less local anesthesia than their conventional counterparts. However, anesthesia requirements vary considerably, and your dentist will determine what is appropriate for your particular treatment.

The goal isn’t simply to use advanced technology. The goal is to use that technology when it can help provide excellent dental care while making treatment easier for the patient.

4. Precise Soft-Tissue Treatment

Dentistry involves much more than teeth. Healthy gums and other oral tissues are essential components of a healthy mouth.

Fotona laser technology can be used for a variety of soft-tissue procedures.

The dentist can precisely target tissue while minimizing unnecessary trauma to surrounding areas. Depending upon the procedure, laser energy can also provide coagulation during treatment, helping control bleeding.

This can give the dentist excellent visibility of the treatment area while providing a cleaner surgical environment.

Laser-assisted soft-tissue dentistry may be useful in procedures involving gum tissue, periodontal treatment, frenectomies and other appropriate oral surgical applications.

5. Laser-Assisted Periodontal Care

Periodontal disease affects the gums and supporting structures surrounding the teeth.

Treating periodontal disease frequently requires reducing bacterial deposits and inflammation while cleaning areas around and below the gumline.

Laser technology can be incorporated into selected periodontal treatment protocols as an adjunct to conventional periodontal therapy.

Fotona’s dual-wavelength approach is particularly interesting in this area because Er:YAG and Nd:YAG interact with oral tissues in different ways. The dentist can select the appropriate wavelength and treatment protocol for the clinical situation.

Laser treatment does not eliminate the importance of professional dental cleanings, good home care, periodontal maintenance, or other recommended periodontal procedures. Instead, it gives the dentist an additional tool that may be incorporated into a comprehensive periodontal treatment plan.

6. Advanced Endodontic Applications

Lasers are also being incorporated into modern endodontic treatment, commonly known as root canal therapy.

One of the challenges of root canal treatment is the complex anatomy inside a tooth. Root canal systems can contain tiny branches and irregularities that make thorough cleaning challenging.

Fotona has developed laser-assisted endodontic techniques designed to complement conventional root canal cleaning and irrigation.

The laser is not simply a replacement for every traditional step of root canal therapy. Rather, laser technology can be incorporated into an overall endodontic protocol designed to improve cleaning and disinfection of the root canal system.

For patients, this represents another example of how advanced technology is changing procedures that dentists have performed for generations.

7. Reduced Bleeding During Certain Procedures

Bleeding can make soft-tissue dental procedures more difficult because it can obstruct the dentist’s view of the treatment area.

The Nd:YAG wavelength can provide coagulation while treating appropriate soft tissues.

For certain procedures, this can mean less bleeding and improved visibility during treatment.

A cleaner and more controlled treatment area allows the dentist to work precisely while reducing unnecessary disruption of surrounding tissue.

8. Laser Dentistry and Bacteria Reduction

Another important characteristic of dental laser technology is its potential antimicrobial effect.

Laser energy can be used as part of certain treatment

Laser

Laser gum treatment is great. The FDA deemed laser dentistry to be safe for public usage in 1990. Since then, many dentists have incorporated dental lasers into everyday procedures – reducing bleeding, anxiety and post-treatment recovery times. The beauty of dental lasers is that they damage far less of the surrounding tissue than traditional techniques – which means less discomfort and pain.

Here are some of the other benefits associated with laser dentistry:

• Faster healing and tissue regeneration.
• Preservation of more of the natural tooth.
• Reduced bleeding during and after treatment.
• Reduced need for anesthesia.
• Reduced need for stitches and sutures.
• Reduced risk of bacterial infections after procedures.

How can laser dentistry help me?

Laser dentistry is incredibly versatile and plays an important role in a growing number of common dental procedures. Though laser dentistry is most notably associated with cosmetic treatments, it is equally effective for preventative purposes.

Here are some of the ways that dental lasers can be used:

• Implant recovery and salvage – The use of the PerioLase laser around an implant site can enhance the healing of the sight. Additionally, an old implant that has periodontal problems or is showing bone loss can be treated with the PerioLase. This treatment can prolong the life of the implant.
• Sterilization and disinfection of periodontal pockets and abcesses – Treatment with the PerioLase will eliminate the bacteria that is imbedded in the periodontal pockets.
• Reshaping soft tissue – Dental lasers can dissolve soft tissue to expose more of the natural tooth (crown lengthening), reshape soft tissue to make “gummy smiles” more attractive, and remove uncomfortable soft tissue folds caused by denture wear.
• Frenectomy – Lasers can improve speech and the feeding habits of babies, children and adults by untying the tongue.
• Tumor removal – When benign tumors have formed in the soft tissue areas of the mouth, a dental laser can completely remove them without causing pain.
• Whitening – Lasers can greatly expedite the tooth whitening process by increasing the activity of the particles in the peroxide bleaching solution.
• Biopsy – Lasers are sometimes used to perform a biopsy on suspicious areas of soft tissue. This biopsy procedure can be performed instantly and with great precision.

How are laser procedures performed?

Different types of dental laser have been created to treat different conditions. Each laser uses a different wavelength of light, which predicates its best use. The most common types of dental laser are carbon dioxide lasers and diode lasers, which are usually employed to treat soft tissue problems.

The laser beam is extremely bright, and special glasses will be provided to protect the eyes. The dentist will then direct the beam at the affected area and carefully dissolve the soft tissue, harden the filling or whiten the teeth.

The procedure will take far less time than conventional methods, and cause far less anxiety and discomfort. The only real disadvantage of laser dentistry is that it can prove to be more expensive.

Dr. Rodeghero is trained and licensed in the patented protocol of the only laser approved by the FDA. He uses the PerioLase made by Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. The results from this laser surgery have shown consistently positive probing depths and clinical attachment level changes, as well as proof of new attachment and periodontal regeneration in patients.

These results are achieved by using the Laser Assisted New Attachment procedure (LANAP). This procedure eliminates the pain and discomfort associated with most perio surgery, as there are no scalpels or sutures required.

If you have questions or concerns about laser dentistry, please contact us.

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