Apr
A CO2 laser is a carbon dioxide laser. In aesthetic medicine, the CO2 laser improves the appearance of a patients’ skin. However, further research has shown there are many benefits to using the CO2 laser for oral care as well. You may wonder what a dentist uses it for and how you can benefit from seeing a dentist who uses a dental CO2 laser in Santa Barbara, CA.
A dentist may recommend you receive a CO2 laser treatment to treat a cavity. During the treatment, a dentist directs the laser energy to remove the diseased portion of the tooth. Your dentist then treats your tooth for a filling. CO2 lasers greatly reduce the need for the dental drill for treatment. Plus, the laser sterilizes the treatment site as your dentist applies it to the tooth.
Your practitioner could recommend performing a gum disease treatment via CO2 laser. For this treatment, the dentist will apply the laser underneath your gum line. It targets the bacteria that cause gum disease without damaging the surrounding tissue.
If you have a “gummy smile,” meaning you have excessive gum tissue, a dentist may reshape your gums and lengthen the visible portion of your tooth with the CO2 laser to improve the visual harmony of your smile.
Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory issue that causes lesions in your mouth that may burn or cause you discomfort. Sometimes, it appears as white patches with a lace-like appearance. Other times, it causes open sores and swollen tissue. Fortunately, a dentist can use a CO2 laser to correct the problem.
With cavity removal using a dental CO2 laser in Santa Barbara, CA, you will have less pain during your procedure. Patients report that it is a nearly discomfort-free procedure with a laser. This is because the laser has a ‘stunning’ effect to the tooth nerve. In some cases, the use of a CO2 laser for cavity removal may mean you do not need any anesthetic.
Additionally, with a CO2 laser, you will have a shorter recovery time.
Contact Whole Health Dentistry, serving Santa Barbara, CA, and the nearby region, for your next dental appointment by texting +1 (855) 441-0001. Discover today how CO2 makes all the difference in your dental treatment process.