Laser Assisted Fillings
We are excited to say that we are one of the first Indianapolis-based dentists to offer ‘pain-free’ laser assisted fillings. Using a dental laser, we can prepare a tooth for filling in the about same time as using conventional equipment, but with almost no need for numbing injections – and all without the rumble and sound of the drill!
All parts of the tooth contain water, but decayed tissue contains more water molecules than the rest of the tooth. The laser rapidly heats the water molecules, leading to a build-up of pressure which leads to a ‘micro-explosion’ called ablation as the decayed area is removed. Crucially, the laser is so precise that it can focus just on the area of decay, leaving surrounding healthy tissue or bone undamaged and keeping the new filling as small as possible. It will still hurt if it exposes a nerve, so in procedures where this is likely, a precautionary numbing injection is delivered.
Because the laser is so specific it does not agitate the surrounding nerves and causes less pain. Dental lasers don’t heat up like the drill – nor do they make the whining sound which many people find so off-putting. And since the only thing that actually touches your tooth is a beam of light, there is no rumbling or pressures that are typically associated with the drill. For children and nervous patients especially, this is a breakthrough.
Laser dentistry is an Food and Drug Association approved technology and it has also received American Dentist Association seal of acceptance, which assures the safety of this technology. The laser’s only drawback is that it cannot work on the old-style metal fillings, which still account for a large percentage of fillings to be replaced.
If you are irritated by the vibrations and sounds of the drill, want your filling to be as conservative as possible, or dislike injections then call our office today to see if laser assisted fillings are right for you!