Laser Dentistry - As Used in our Office
In March 2005, we added the Odyssey Diode Laser to our practice. Since then we have treated dozens of
patients with it, as a less invasive and quicker healing way to prepare the gums around the teeth for better impression taking when we do both CEREC dentistry or traditional crown and bridgework that is sent to
outside laboratories. Dr. Rosenberg has also used this state-of-the-art diode laser for other periodontal and soft
tissue applications. There has been amazing success in making Aphthous Ulcers (Canker
Sores) and Herpes Blisters (Cold Sores on the lips) less painful and heal quicker. If you find that you are breaking out with either of these annoying mucosal or lip lesions, please call us
and tell the receptionist you need a same day short appointment for Laser Treatment of your problem.
The benefits of laser treatment include:
- Faster healing
- Less bleeding
- Reduced swelling
- Frenectomy ("tongue-tie" release, orthodontic or periodontal indications) without anesthesia or sutures
- Laser assisted periodontal therapy
- Smile improvements, i.e. gum sculpting that lengthens teeth due to oversized gingiva ("gummy smile" improvement)
- Excisional and incisional biopsies
- Gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, crown lengthening, and other gum corrections
- Root canals and apicoectomies
- Removal of oral lesions such as fibromas or pappillomas, usually with topical anesthesia only
- Herpes simplex Cold sore treatments
- Pediatric procedures. The lack of needles or drills is a huge plus for kids.
- Treatment of minor mouth and gum irritations
- Aphthous Ulcer ("canker sore" ) treatments
- Tissue Recontouring
How It Works: The Simple Science Behind the Odyssey Diode Laser
The Odyssey Diode Laser is dentistry’s most user-friendly soft-tissue laser to date. With a simplified control panel, the
Odyssey Diode Laser features the latest and finest solid state diode laser technology, accurate power output and a consistent wavelength for smooth, precise, clean tissue modification.
The term laser stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation", which means a device that produces and
amplifies light. The wavelength of the light produced will determine what types of tissues can be modified by the light’s energy.
Light waves that emanate from within the visible and near-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum will be readily
absorbed into body pigments like melanin in the skin, and heme (iron molecule) found within hemoglobin in blood. They will
have virtually no affinity for water and thus, it won’t be absorbed at the surface as it enters soft tissues. Wave lengths located
within the mid to far infrared range are attracted to water and the Hydroxyapatite crystals that are found within bone and teeth.
Thus, these wave lengths are primarily used in hard tissue lasers. With a frequency of 810+/-20 nanometers, the Odyssey
Diode Laser'™s wave length falls into the lower end of the near-infrared spectrum, making it suitable for soft-tissue applications.
Laser light can be emitted in either a continuous or pulsed temporal mode and the Odyssey Diode Laser is designed
to deliver both. Lasers require a power supply and an active medium in order to produce light. Dental lasers employee different
active mediums such as the man made rods found in the YAG lasers, liquids, gases or solid state semiconductor crystals like
those found in diodes. The Odyssey Diode Laser features an Aluminum, Gallium and Arsenide semiconductor crystal that is
activated or pumped when an electrical current is passed through it, and it then produces an elliptical shaped display of
monochromatic light. This light is then focused into a very small thread of light and directed into a fiber-optic which carries it to
the target tissue. The resultant photo-thermal reaction results in vaporization at the cellular level.
Dr. Michael Miyasaki best explained how lasers work -- Basically, he said, the laser creates an intense beam of light energy
that moves through a fiber optic cord. When it enters the targeted tissue, the energy is converted into heat as a result of the
tissue's pigmentation. A photo-thermal reaction occurs that results in a much localized thermal effect causing vaporization (or ablation) of this targeted tissue, with very little collateral tissue damage.
When using the Odyssey Diode Laser, dentists or hygienists (in states where the Dental Practice Act does not prohibit
hygienists from using a laser) can change the mode of the laser (either pulsed or continuous wave), the power in Watts, and the current status such as ready or standby.
In the continuous mode, the laser energy is on continuously while the laser is activated. In this mode, the laser is faster and
more efficient when used by experienced laser dentists. In the pulsed mode, the energy flow is interrupted by an electrical or
mechanical shutter system. The pulsed mode is less aggressive and allows some tissue cooling between pulses. Selection of the mode used is up to the discretion of the operator.
The power of lasers is described in Watts which is the rate of doing work. One Watt is equal to 1 Joule per second, and higher
powers work faster. When the Odyssey Diode Laser is used in the continuous wave mode, the average power will be what the
operator selects on the control panel. When used in pulsed mode, the pulse duration and number of pulses per second on the
Odyssey have been fixed at the factory, so neither can be adjusted by the operator. The average power will be of the set power since the laser is only emitting energy half the time when in the pulsed mode.
The primary use of a soft-tissue laser is the modification or removal of intra-oral soft tissue. The photo-thermal effects of the
Laser’s energy allow the operator to modify tissues and control hemostasis at the same time by coagulation. The post
-operative response of the laser care will usually produce a cleaner and healthier surgical site with less discomfort when
compared to alternative methods of surgery. Soft tissue lasers enable minor surgical procedures and decontaminate the area
at the same time. There is less chance of infection, and some soft tissue procedures around the gingiva can be completed without anesthesia.
The laser also promotes healing for infected and irritated tissues. Since there is a favorable response to laser treatment, the
resultant healing is less complicated and often shorter when compared to traditional techniques. In many cases, the laser can
also be used to treat deep gingival pockets that harbor bacteria and cause gum disease. An additional benefit of dental diode
laser technology is its ability to reduce the pain and longevity of cold sores and fever blisters.
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