Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is one of the most exciting advances in dental technology. At Designer Smiles, we think it’s important to bring you the latest and most precise dental procedures in the industry. Using the DEKA UltraSpeed CO2 laser, we offer the ultimate in soft tissue treatments. Lasers have been proven to reduce the pain, swelling, and bacterial formation that can occur during dental procedures. Lasers also ensure a better cut than that of a scalpel, and they sterilize surface tissues when used to create gum flaps. Often times, using a laser during surgery eliminates the need for sutures following the procedure. At Designer Smiles, we offer a wide variety of laser dental procedures in our office, which will make your visit a more pleasant and safe experience. On this page, you'll learn more about laser dentistry and some of the laser procedures we offer.

• About the DEKA UltraSpeed CO2 Laser
• Gum Recontouring
• Lip Repositioning
• Frenectomies
• Cold Sore Treatment
• Implant Placements
• Periodontal Disease Treatments
  • During Your Laser Periodontal Procedure
  • Benefits of Laser Periodontal Therapy

About the DEKA UltraSpeed CO2 Laser

Often described as the “workhorse” of dental lasers, the versatile DEKA UltraSpeed CO2 laser is an important development in laser dentistry. Extensive research has proven this laser’s wavelength to be one of the safest and most effective in dentistry today. The CO2 laser has been used in medicine for over 25 years and the DEKA UltraSpeed CO2 laser makes procedures virtually pain-free, speeds recovery, and improves dental procedures in general. The DEKA UltraSpeed CO2 laser is a leading tool in laser dentistry, and we are proud to offer it to our patients.

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Gum Recontouring

If you have large gums that make your teeth appear too short, gum recontouring can reshape the gum line to lengthen teeth and make your smile more attractive. After using a local anesthetic to numb the area, we can sculpt excessive and uneven gums with our CO2 laser to reveal your true smile. Because we use a laser for this procedure, the wound seals immediately so that healing can begin right away. The procedure, called a gingivectomy, is relatively painless and can make your smile appear younger, healthier, and more balanced.

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Lip Repositioning

Sometimes connective tissues attached to the inside of the upper lip do not allow for proper lip movement and expose too much gum tissue above the top row of teeth. By removing specific tissues from inside the upper lip, Dr's. Haggard and Fishel can lower the upper lip and create a more aesthetic smile. During the laser surgery, the doctor will remove tissue uniformly to avoid any damage to the patient's muscular movements, such as uneven facial expressions. All of the connective tissues controlling the lip’s movement will be shortened significantly, showcasing the teeth instead of excessive gums.

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Frenectomies

A frenulum is a piece of connective tissue attached to the inside of the lip, under the tongue or inside the cheek, which prevents structures in the mouth from moving too far. However, if the frenulum is too short, it can severely limit the movement of other tissues that need to move freely in the mouth. This can cause problems with speaking, eating, and drinking properly, and interfere with tooth and gum development. During a frenectomy, Dr. Fishel or Dr. Haggard will use the CO2 laser to remove a particularly restrictive frenulum. If a strong frenulum is attached close to the gum line, it could contribute to sensitivity in the tooth as well as receding gums and loss of the tooth’s support structure. In order to maintain the strength of the gum and tooth structure and decrease recession of the gums, we may perform a frenectomy in this situation as well. Because our CO2 laser will create a sterile surface when cutting the tissue, there is less risk of infection and faster healing rates for the incision.

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Aphthous Ulcer/Cold Sore Treatment

Aphthous ulcers and cold sores look similar in nature. They are small painful lesions or sores around the mouth and lips, and can appear for any number of reasons, including trauma to the area, stress, illness, fatigue, or hormonal changes. Although research does not point to a clear culprit, relief in the form of our CO2 laser is available. Studies have shown that laser therapy will immediately relieve pain caused by these irritating mouth blisters and speed the healing process considerably. One of our qualified Designer Smiles doctors will focus the laser on the affected area during the treatment, reducing pain and preparing the lesion for healing. Not only will the sore clear up in three to four days — much faster than the estimated 14 days for traditional treatment — but research has shown in the past that no other canker sores will ever appear in that spot again.

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Laser Periodontal Therapy

New research developments have made it possible to treat gum disease and periodontitis with laser therapy, known as laser periodontal therapy (LPT). Over 50 percent of Americans have periodontal disease, a condition that starts with bacterial colonization around the teeth. Older surgical treatments such as root-planing and scraping, along with gingival curettage surgery, will generally require sutures and a general anesthetic. These traditional methods are also somewhat more painful than laser treatments, making laser periodontal therapy a great alternative for your dental needs.

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During Your Laser Periodontal Procedure

Even though the procedure itself is known to be virtually painless, local anesthetic will numb any possible discomfort during a laser procedure. Dr. Fishel or Dr. Haggard will direct the CO2 laser to the area between the affected tooth and adjacent gum tissue where the pockets of diseased tissue are located. Energy from our laser will clear away the bacteria and infection under the gum line without harming any of the surrounding gum tissue. The laser will then seal the tooth, forming a sterile natural bandage so that the gum tissue can heal. There will be no cutting or sutures, and you can return to your life the same day.

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Benefits of Laser Periodontal Therapy

The LPT process is not only less painful than the surgical methods of the past, but also minimally invasive, suture-free, and proven to have longer-lasting results. Over 98 percent of LPT patients show no signs of periodontitis after five years, while the stability rate for the traditional surgical group is only 5 percent over the same period of time. There is also a less than 24-hour recovery period with laser surgery, whereas traditional surgery can take two to four weeks of healing time and may cause significant bleeding and swelling. The laser periodontal therapy procedure (which is ideal for patients with blood diseases and other health concerns such as HIV, hemophilia, or diabetes) can be completed in about two 2-hour sessions. Traditional surgery would require four 1-hour sessions with additional sessions to remove sutures and check on progress.

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Implant Placement

If you are missing teeth and would like to replace them with fully functional dental implants, your surgical procedure will be vastly improved by the use of our CO2 laser. The laser is used to create a socket in the tissue so that the implant post can be placed and bone tissue can grow in to surround the new implant. Additionally, the laser sterilizes the area, ensuring the best possible implant process and the best chance for success in an implant surgery procedure. The laser will also be used to seal the implant after it is placed in the jawbone. Find out more about placing dental implants by visiting our dental implants page.

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Contact Designer Smiles Today!

With the advanced technology we have at Designer Smiles, you get the highest-quality treatments from experienced professionals who care about your smile. Providing less painful procedures, more effective results, and healthier smiles, laser dentistry is a vital, patient-friendly part of our dental practice. Contact Designer Smiles today and schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Fishel or Dr. Haggard.

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