Laser Dentistry
Experience the Difference Laser Dentistry Can Make in Your Dental Procedures
One of the reasons Valerie Barba, DDS, FAGD is considered a top dentist in NJ is because she is certified in laser dentistry. Dental lasers use a focused, high-energy beam of light to cut or reshape tissues in the mouth. This innovative approach is minimally invasive and offers many benefits to the patient, such as decreased pain and swelling, shorter healing time, and reduced risk of infection post treatment.
The two types of lasers used in dentistry are hard tissue and soft tissue. Designed for teeth and bone, hard tissue lasers are used for procedures such as detection of tooth decay, teeth whitening, and preparing a tooth for dental fillings. Soft tissue lasers are designed for use on the gums and the inner skin of the mouth for procedures such as gum contouring, frenectomy (treating tongue-tie and lip-tie), biopsy, and treatment of canker and cold sores.
At Dr. Barba’s Jersey Shore dental spa, the goal is to help you achieve your best smile and overall well-being in a spa-like environment. Laser dentistry creates a more soothing atmosphere and is ideal for patients with any dental phobia or concerns. This technique is highly precise and often eliminates the need for mechanical instruments.
Here are some of the procedures we use the dental laser for:
Laser Frenectomy
This is a type of oral procedure that cuts or loosens the mouth’s frenum, a band of tissue that connects two of the mouth’s soft tissues, such as lips, cheeks, and gums. When the frenum is too tight, it can restrict the range of motion of the mouth and lead to such problems as tooth decay and speech difficulties. These conditions are typically called tongue-tie (below the tongue) or lip-tie (usually inside the upper lip). A laser frenectomy uses light energy to vaporize tissue as opposed to cutting the tissue. This generally reduces the risk of complications and shortens the healing time. It’s a nearly pain-free procedure, especially important for children, as they are typically the patients getting this treatment.
Laser Gum Contouring
Gum contouring, or gum sculpting, removes or adds excess gum tissue. Laser gum contouring is a minimally invasive treatment that instantly reshapes the gumline to improve the look of your smile. A patient may electively undergo gum contouring to correct a “gummy smile” or to even out the gumline. Gum contouring can also treat gum irritation and help avoid tooth decay. If a patient is experiencing gum recession, Dr. Barba may recommend the use of laser gum contouring to protect the teeth and prevent further damage by adding gum tissue. Laser treatment results in a relatively painless procedure and requires minimal recovery time as compared to traditional gum surgery.
Laser Treatment for Canker Sores
Canker sores are small, grayish, round ulcers with a red border. They can develop on the inside of the lips and cheeks, on the gumline, or even on the tongue. They can be the result of a food allergy or mouth injury, but other factors like stress, hormonal fluctuations, and vitamin or mineral deficiencies can also make them more likely. Other factors that can contribute to the frequency of canker sores are dentures and braces. Canker sores are not contagious and clear up on their own, but they are painful and can make chewing or talking uncomfortable. With the use of laser dentistry, Dr. Barba can reduce the duration of a canker sore and help you feel better, faster. The light from the laser energy is strong enough to eliminate pain from the sores by sealing off the nerve endings. This non-invasive procedure is pain-free and immediately stimulates the healing process.
Laser Therapy for Cold Sores
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are contagious groups of fluid-filled blisters that often erupt around the lips and sometimes under the nose or around the chin. They are caused by the oral form of the herpes simplex virus and usually penetrate the body through the mouth. The virus can spread when a person comes into contact with a cold sore through various ways, such as sharing drinks or merely touching the infected fluid. Laser treatment for cold sores is very effective in easing pain and eliminating discomfort during an outbreak. The laser treatment works by breaking down the nerve cells of the virus. This creates instant relief and improves the production of collagen, which helps to speed up the healing. The laser does not touch your skin, so the procedure is pain-free. The healing time is shortened to a few days vs. the average 14-day symptom timeframe. For patients who experience sores frequently, laser treatment can help in reducing the number and severity of future outbreaks.