Laser dentistry uses focused light to remove or reshape teeth and gums. Dentists at Redondo Beach Dental Group may use a laser to treat gum disease, reshape the gumline or ease canker sores. The office is a short drive from Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Torrance.
Dental lasers have been in use for decades. In 1997 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first laser for cutting human teeth, an Er:YAG laser. A summary of the clinical data submitted to the FDA, published that year in the Journal of the American Dental Association, concluded it was safe and effective for removing decay and preparing cavities. Its lead author worked for the laser’s manufacturer, so that summary reflects the company’s own data rather than an independent trial. Call (310) 542-6988 to ask whether your treatment can be done with a laser.
How a Dental Laser Works
A dental laser delivers light energy at a set wavelength, and different tissues absorb different wavelengths. That is why dentistry uses two broad kinds. Hard tissue lasers are tuned to the water and mineral in teeth, so they can remove decayed enamel and dentin. Soft tissue lasers are tuned to gums and the lining of the mouth, and they seal small blood vessels as they work, which is why gum procedures done with a laser often bleed less. Some lasers work on both teeth and gums, including the Solea® laser, which the office may use for gum disease treatment and implant site preparation.
What We May Use a Laser For
A laser is a tool, and your dentist decides whether it fits your treatment. At our practice, a laser may be recommended to:
- Remove the decayed or damaged part of a tooth
- Treat periodontal disease by removing bacteria and infected tissue from around the teeth
- Recontour the gumline
- Treat canker sores and cold sores
- Speed up professional teeth whitening
Tooth decay
For some cavities, a hard tissue laser can take out the decayed part of the tooth in place of, or alongside, a drill. A laser cannot reach every cavity, and the dentist may still shape the tooth with a handpiece before it is restored. When decay has already reached the pulp at the center of the tooth, removing the decay is no longer enough and root canal therapy is usually needed to keep it.
Gum disease and gum tissue
Gum disease leaves bacteria and inflamed tissue in the pockets between the gums and teeth. A soft tissue laser can help remove that tissue and the bacteria with it. When pockets stay deep after a deep cleaning, one option is laser pocket reduction, done under local anesthetic.
The same kind of laser can recontour the gumline, trimming gum tissue that covers too much of a tooth. Gum reshaping is also part of crown lengthening, which exposes more of a tooth so it can hold a crown.
Canker sores and cold sores
A canker sore or cold sore usually heals on its own within a week or two, but it can be painful while it lasts. A dental laser applied to the sore may ease the discomfort and help it heal. If a sore lasts longer than two weeks, ask us to look at it, because a sore that does not heal needs to be checked.
Teeth whitening
In an in-office whitening visit, a laser may be used to activate the whitening gel and speed up the process. Results depend on the cause of the staining, and professional teeth whitening does not change the color of crowns or fillings.
Possible Benefits of Laser Treatment
The benefits depend on the procedure, and not every patient will notice all of them. For the right treatment, a laser may mean:
- Less bleeding during and after gum procedures, because the laser seals small vessels
- Less need for numbing for some small procedures
- Less noise and vibration than a dental drill, which some anxious patients find easier
- Precise removal, so the dentist can target the affected area and leave more healthy tissue alone
- Faster healing of soft tissue for some procedures
When a Laser Is Not the Right Tool
A dental laser has limits, and your dentist will tell you when a drill or another method is the better choice. A laser generally cannot be used on teeth that already have metal fillings or crowns. Large cavities, and cavities between teeth that the beam cannot reach, may still need a drill. Even after laser work, a handpiece may be needed to shape the tooth or adjust your bite. Some laser procedures still need local anesthetic, so a laser does not mean a visit without a shot.
A laser also does not replace the routine parts of general and family dentistry, such as cleanings, checkups and X-rays, which catch problems before they need treatment.
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.
What Laser Dentistry Costs and How Insurance Handles It
There is no single price for laser dentistry, because the laser is a tool used within a treatment. The cost depends on the procedure itself, such as decay removal, gum treatment or whitening, along with how many teeth are involved and whether other work is needed first. Ask for an estimate at your exam so you know the number before treatment begins.
Dental insurance generally pays by procedure, not by the instrument used, so a procedure done with a laser is usually billed like the same procedure done with other instruments. Cosmetic treatments such as whitening are usually not covered. We accept PPO plans; 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
Why would a dentist use a laser?
A dentist uses a laser to remove or reshape tooth and gum tissue with focused light instead of a drill or scalpel. Common reasons include removing decay, treating gum disease, reshaping the gumline and easing canker sores, and for some procedures a laser may mean less bleeding and less need for numbing.
What are the downsides of laser dentistry?
The main downside of laser dentistry is that it does not suit every tooth or every procedure. A laser generally cannot be used on teeth with existing metal fillings or crowns, may not reach some cavities, and a drill may still be needed to shape the tooth or adjust the bite. Some laser procedures still need local anesthetic.
How much does laser dentistry cost?
The cost of laser dentistry depends on the procedure, because the laser is a tool used within a treatment such as decay removal or gum treatment. At Redondo Beach Dental Group, ask for an estimate at your exam so you know the cost before treatment begins.
Is the laser treatment at the dentist worth it?
Laser treatment at the dentist is worth considering when your procedure is one a laser handles well, such as some cavities, gum tissue work or canker sores. For those, it may mean less bleeding and less need for numbing. Your dentist can tell you whether a laser or a conventional method suits your tooth better.
Does dental laser actually work?
Dental lasers work for the procedures they are cleared for, though a laser is not the best tool for every case. The FDA cleared the first laser for cutting human teeth in 1997, and a summary of the manufacturer’s clinical data, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, concluded it was safe and effective for removing decay. Lasers are also widely used on gum tissue.
Do you still need a numbing shot with a dental laser?
Whether you need a numbing shot with a dental laser depends on the procedure. Some small laser procedures need little or no anesthetic, while others, including laser gum treatment, are still done with local anesthetic. Ask before your visit so you know what to expect.
Does insurance cover laser dentistry?
Insurance usually covers laser dentistry the same way it covers the procedure being done, because most plans pay by treatment rather than by the tool. A procedure done with a laser is generally billed like the same procedure done another way, while cosmetic whitening is usually not covered. Ask the office how your plan applies.
Book Laser Dentistry 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, and mention that you would like to ask about a laser.