The use of lasers in general and specialized dentistry has been around for decades. With dental technology advancing, new practices and new technology are in the process of being adopted into general and specialized procedures. This advance of dental technologies is changing the way dentists and hygienists treat patients. Here are 2 of the new and upcoming laser dentistry procedures and tools that could be used by multiple dentists in the near future:
Tooth Regeneration
Figure 1: Here are the results of the x-ray imaging from the experiment (source from WYSS Institute at Harvard). 2 different stains were used to display the newly acquired tertiary dentin. The yellow hashtags (#) represent the newly formed dentin on the rat’s toot
A recent study by a research team at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine used laser dentistry to stimulate the stem cells of a rat’s broken tooth aspiring that it would grow back. The experimentation proved successful as the rat’s tooth slowly regenerated over the course of 12 weeks. The researchers then tested the same technique on a human tooth, and this experiment was also successful as a layer of dentin was produced. Here is an image to visualize:
This technique is expected to branch off beyond dental use into the regeneration of other parts of the body like muscle and bone tissue.
The Use of CO2 Dental Lasers
Very recently, the Solea CO2 laser developed by Convergent Dental has been approved by the FDA for the use on hard and soft oral tissue. This is the first CO2 laser to be approved for any kind of dental use in the United States and the world. Convergent Dental has said that 95% of patients do not experience any kind of anesthesia, and virtually no patients experience oral bleeding, a rather high percentage for a new piece of dental tech that is the first of its kind to be released. This original model of the CO2 laser has expanded across the dental market quickly, and in not too long from now, most dentists will be using a Solea Laser in their treatments.
Figure 2: The First Model of Convergent Dental’s Solea CO2 Laser (Source from Covergent Dental)
CO2 Lasers have proven to provide an easier, quicker and more effective way of treating harmed or irritated teeth than the past method of using drills and dentures. This opens way for the view on going to the dentist to change. The Solea CO2 dental laser has also won the “Best of what’s new award” on www.dentistryiq.com. This instrument is looked on as an instrument that could change the views on going to the dentist.
About the Author
Rhys Dominguez has a passion for general and laser dentistry. He is currently a 5th year student in dental school at the University of Florida. He likes to read books on oral health and dentistry and learn from more experienced dentists on how to run a great dental centre. He is looking forward to his future career as a certified dentist.
Rhys currently runs a blog that covers the newest practices, technologies and procedures when it comes down to dentistry. You can find this website at http://dentistsstcatharines.com.