Laser dentistry can be used for:
- Destroying benign (harmless) tumors.
- Healing damaged nerves.
- Reshaping gum tissue.
- Removing gum tissue that is damaged by gum disease.
- Treating cold sores and canker sores.
Reshaping gum tissue can be extremely important. The crown of the tooth is the upper portion of it—the chewing surface and the sides of the tooth. Sometimes, we need to increase the size of a crown through a procedure called crown lengthening.
When we need to restore a damaged tooth, for example, we need as much of the crown showing as possible, so we can attach an artificial crown to it. If the gums are in the way, we can move them down using a laser for crown lengthening.
Another crucial use of laser dentistry is for frenectomies. The frenulum is a small bit of tissue that attaches either the tongue to the bottom of the mouth or attaches the upper lip to the gums.
When the frenulum is too thick or tight, it can cause a child to have difficulty in many activities, such as speaking. With a laser, we can treat the frenulum in a pain-free, simple procedure. Also, using a laser often means a faster healing time.