As a parent, you know how important it is to take your child to the dentist regularly. Not only are regular checkups important for preventing cavities and other problems, but they can also help ensure routine dental care becomes a part of your child’s life early on, so they can continue those good habits throughout their adult years. When kids understand that going to the dentist is an important part of taking care of yourself, they’re far more likely to accept and adopt that habit as they get older and more independent.
Of course, knowing that your child should see the dentist and actually getting your child to enjoy the routine are two different things. Many children are nervous about seeing the dentist, usually because they’ve had an uncomfortable experience in the past. At Dentistry for Children, we also understand the importance of establishing good oral health habits early on, and we help relieve anxiety and concerns with state-of-the-art laser dentistry treatments that can be a lot more comfortable than traditional treatments that rely on “old-fashioned” drills.
What is laser dentistry?
Laser dentistry may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but it’s actually been around for a while. At Dentistry for Children, we use the Waterlase iPlus™ dental laser, a state-of-the-art instrument designed to provide safe, effective, and comfortable treatments for patients of all ages. The Waterlase iPlus laser uses laser-powered droplets of water to perform repairs and restorations.
The iPlus has been used for more than two decades in both children and adults. During an iPlus procedure, the laser and water work together to gently remove soft tissue like decay, plus they can provide deep cleaning to get rid of plaque and tartar that can harbor disease-causing bacteria. The laser uses rapid bursts of water and laser energy — 100 pulses per second — for treatment that’s fast and comfortable. The laser also covers a larger area than a traditional drill, which makes treatment faster, and that means less time spent in the dental chair for your child.
Benefits of laser dentistry
Obviously, one of the biggest benefits of laser dentistry is the reduction in discomfort. In fact, the laser system is so gentle, many procedures can be performed without the need for an anesthetic. But that’s not the only benefit. The laser is also a lot quieter than a traditional dental drill, and it doesn’t cause vibrations either. Plus, the laser combined with water means there’s no overheating of nerve and soft tissue, which is one of the reasons why the treatment is so much more comfortable.
The laser is very precise, which means more of your child’s natural tooth material can be preserved during filling procedures. What’s more, because of the technology used in laser dentistry, there very little or even no bleeding or swelling after treatment either, so recovery is faster and more comfortable. If your child needs a filling, the laser can also improve the way the filling material bonds with your child’s tooth, which means the restoration will be more secure and durable.
Laser dentistry procedures
The iPlus laser isn’t just precise — it’s versatile too. At Dentistry for Children, we use the iPlus laser for an array of treatments and procedures, including:
- Routine dental cleanings
- Cavity treatment and fillings
- Root canal preparation
- Gum reshaping procedures
During cavity treatment, one of the most common procedures for kids, the laser is especially good because it’s accurate enough to break down and remove only the decayed portion of the tooth without harming the healthy tooth material — something that can’t be achieved with a traditional drill.
Give your child the gift of healthy teeth — for life
Childhood is the time for establishing a lifetime of good habits, including good oral health care that can help your child avoid tooth decay, gum disease, pain, and tooth loss all the way through their adult years. If it’s been a while since your child’s last office visit or if you’d like to learn more about laser dentistry and other treatments we offer at Dentistry for Children, book an appointment online today.
