Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry provides a quick, pain-free treatment for many oral health problems, including cavities, tooth sensitivity, and gum disease. At the Family Dental Group in Gardner, Paxton, and Northborough, Massachusetts, the team of general dentists offers laser dentistry with the Waterlase® dental laser. The advanced technology is natural, safe, and precise. Call the nearest office to schedule a laser dentistry appointment, or request one online today.

What makes laser dentistry unique?

Laser dentistry uses highly concentrated beams of light (lasers) to treat various dental conditions. During treatment, your dentist uses a hand-held laser tool to repair or treat problems affecting your teeth and gums.

The Family Dental Group team offers laser dentistry with Waterlase, an innovative dental laser developed by Irvine, California-based medical manufacturer Biolase®. Waterlase combines specific wavelengths of light and water spray to make changes to your teeth or gums. The treatment rarely requires anesthesia and offers lasting results.

What oral conditions does laser dentistry treat?

The Family Dental Group team uses laser dentistry to treat various conditions affecting the teeth and gums, including:

• Cavities
• Tooth sensitivity
• Excess gum tissue (a “gummy” smile)
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Benign tumors
• Cold sores

If you have poorly fitting dentures, the team can use laser dentistry to remove soft-tissue folds, providing a more comfortable fit.

What happens during laser dentistry?

Laser dentistry is an outpatient procedure, usually taking 60-90 minutes. The procedure is virtually painless, so most people don’t need a local anesthetic or sedation.

Your Family Dental Group provider points the hand-held Waterlase device at your teeth or gums. The device emits a stream of light and water, capable of reshaping or cutting through your tooth enamel or gum tissue.

Treatment is comfortable and quiet, and there’s none of the scraping or drilling that comes with traditional hand-held dental tools.

What are the benefits of laser dentistry?

Undergoing laser dentistry at the Family Dental Group offers various benefits, including:

• Quicker recovery
• No need for stitches or sutures
• Less bleeding (lasers encourage blood clotting)
• Reduced risk of infection

Laser dentistry doesn’t damage the surrounding tissues. After treatment, you can chew and eat as you normally would.

Is laser dentistry safe?

Laser dentistry with Waterlase is safe and presents few risks. The Family Dental Group team has undergone extensive training and knows how to adjust the system’s wavelengths and power levels to provide the best results.

During the procedure, you wear special glasses to protect your eyes.

If you’re worried or have questions about treatment, don’t be afraid to speak up. The team is there to ensure a welcoming and stress-free laser dentistry experience.

Call the nearest Family Dental Group office to schedule a laser dentistry consultation, or request an appointment online today.