The Solea® laser is a computer-controlled CO2 laser that works on teeth, gums and bone. Dentists at Redondo Beach Dental Group may use it for gum disease treatment, implant site preparation and some children’s procedures. The office is a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
If you are asking about the Solea laser because you would rather avoid the drill or an injection, it can help with some of that for some procedures, and the details matter. Call (310) 542-6988 to ask whether it fits the treatment you need. The laser is part of the dental technology at Redondo Beach Dental Group, alongside CEREC one-visit crowns and cone beam 3D imaging.
What Makes the Solea Laser Different
Most dental lasers are built for soft tissue, meaning the gums, and are used across laser dentistry for jobs such as treating canker sores or reshaping the gumline. The Solea, made by Convergent Dental, is a CO2 laser that runs at a 9.3-micron wavelength, which lets one device cut both soft tissue and hard tissue such as enamel and bone. A computer controls the pattern and spot size of the beam, and the dentist controls the speed with a foot pedal.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the Solea through its 510(k) process, which means the FDA found it substantially equivalent to a device already on the market. Clearance is not the same as the FDA “approval” some practices claim. In its 2022 clearance, the FDA lists the device for:
- Removing tooth decay and preparing cavities
- Cutting, removing, vaporizing and controlling bleeding in soft tissue in the mouth
- Cutting, shaving and contouring bone in the mouth
- Helping reduce mineral loss in tooth enamel
Clearance describes what the device can be used for. Which of those uses an office offers is up to the practice.
How Our Dentists May Use the Solea Laser
At Redondo Beach Dental Group, the Solea laser may be used in three areas.
Gum Disease
The Solea laser can remove diseased gum tissue and bacteria as part of treating periodontal disease. Because the beam seals small blood vessels as it cuts, soft tissue work with a laser often bleeds less than the same work done with a scalpel.
Implant Site Preparation
Before dental implant placement, the laser can be used to prepare the gum and bone at the site where the implant will go.
Children’s Procedures
Our dentists may use the Solea laser for some procedures in children’s dentistry, because a quieter instrument can make the visit easier for a nervous child. Whether a child needs numbing depends on the procedure, so ask before the appointment.
Will You Need a Numbing Shot?
Some patients need little or no numbing for some Solea procedures, but not every patient and not every procedure. The clearest data comes from a 2022 study by researchers at Midwestern University’s College of Dental Medicine, published in the journal Applied Sciences. They used a Solea laser for 233 cavity preparations in 103 patients, giving anesthetic only when it was requested or needed, and 93% of the procedures were completed without it. Patients rated discomfort low overall, though younger patients and those having several cavities treated in one visit reported more of it. The authors reported no outside funding and no conflicts of interest.
That study looked only at cavity preparation, which is not one of the uses listed above, so your experience with gum or implant work may differ. What you feel depends on the procedure, how deep the work goes and your own sensitivity. Ask before your visit whether your procedure is likely to need numbing, and tell your dentist if you want it.
Why Some Patients Prefer It
For the procedures where it fits, the Solea laser can offer a few practical benefits:
- It is quieter than a dental drill and does not vibrate the same way, which some anxious patients find easier to sit through.
- When no anesthetic is used, there is no numb lip or cheek to wait out afterward.
- Soft tissue procedures may bleed less and feel less sore during recovery.
- The beam can be aimed precisely, which helps protect the healthy tissue next to the area being treated.
- In some cases, more than one procedure can be done in the same visit.
When the Laser Is Not the Right Tool
A laser is one instrument among several, and it does not replace the others. Deep decay, crown preparation and some larger restorations may still call for conventional instruments, and many treatments use a combination of the two. The laser does not replace your regular cleanings and checkups either. Your dentist chooses the tool after examining the tooth or tissue, so having a Solea in the office does not mean it will be used for every visit.
Patients and the dental team wear protective eyewear while a dental laser is in use. The FDA clears the Solea for prescription use, so it is operated by dental professionals.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations.
Cost and Insurance
There is no separate published price for Solea treatment. What you pay depends on the procedure being done, such as gum treatment or implant preparation, so ask for an estimate before treatment begins. Convergent Dental, the company that makes the laser, says insurance typically covers procedures done with Solea the same way it covers procedures done with a drill, but every plan is different.
We accept PPO plans, so ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. For costs your plan does not cover, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, and an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solea laser dentistry FDA approved?
Solea laser dentistry is FDA cleared rather than FDA approved. The FDA cleared the Solea through its 510(k) process for removing tooth decay and preparing cavities, for cutting and controlling bleeding in soft tissue in the mouth, for contouring bone in the mouth, and for helping reduce mineral loss in enamel.
How much does a Solea dental laser treatment cost?
The cost of a Solea laser treatment depends on the procedure, not on the laser itself. Gum treatment, implant site preparation and a children’s procedure are each priced differently, so ask the office for an estimate before treatment begins.
Is Solea covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for Solea treatment usually follows the procedure being done. Convergent Dental, the laser’s maker, says insurers typically cover Solea procedures the same way they cover procedures done with a drill. Your plan’s own limits still apply, so ask how your plan applies before your visit.
Is Solea laser dentistry better than the drill?
Solea laser dentistry is not better for every case. For some procedures it can mean less need for anesthetic, less noise and less bleeding. For others, such as deep decay or crown work, conventional instruments or a combination of both are the better choice, and your dentist decides after an exam.
What are the downsides of the Solea laser?
The main downside of the Solea laser is that it does not suit every procedure, so some visits still involve a drill or other instruments. Some patients still need numbing, and in one 2022 study younger patients and those having several cavities treated reported more discomfort than others. Protective eyewear is also required while the laser is in use.
Is the Solea laser safe?
The Solea laser is considered safe when a trained clinician uses it with the right precautions. It is FDA cleared for prescription use, and patients and staff wear protective eyewear during treatment. It uses light energy, not X-rays.
Do you need a shot with the Solea laser?
Some patients need little or no numbing for some Solea procedures, but it depends on the procedure and on the patient. In a 2022 university study, 93% of cavity preparations done with a Solea laser were completed without anesthetic. Ask before your visit whether your procedure is likely to need numbing.
Ask About the Solea Laser in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online.
Solea® is a registered trademark of Convergent Dental, Inc.