Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry is the use of lasers to treat several different dental conditions. It began to be used in clinical dental practice for procedures involving tooth tissue three decades ago. Laser dentistry potentially offers a more comfortable treatment option for dental procedures involving hard or soft tissue compared to drills and other non-laser tools.
LASER stands for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” The instrument creates light energy in an extremely focused and narrow beam. This laser light produces a reaction when it hits tissue, allowing it to remove or shape the tissue.
The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental radiates compassion and enthusiasm. Every member embraces your individual comfort and dental needs. We seek balance in our practice, our procedures, and your health. You will find your entire dental experience with us comforting from start to finish. We balance exceptional, personalized dental care with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Call us today at 440-974-4449 to schedule your appointment for an evaluation regarding the benefits of laser dentistry for you. You can conveniently find us at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.
Laser dentistry is used in a variety of procedures, including:
- Soft tissue procedures-Lasers are occasionally used for biopsies, lesion removal, exposing deeper areas of decay that lie under the gumline, or frenectomies (releasing the tension on a piece of tissue that is preventing a part of the body from moving too far, commonly the upper lip or tongue).
- Treating tooth decay-Lasers can be used at the first sign of a cold sore to help reduce the viral activity and can help avoid the cold sore from fully forming or lessen the time it is present.
- Treating gum disease-Lasers are used to reshape gums and remove bacteria during periodontal therapy procedures.
- Treating tooth sensitivity-Lasers can be used to seal the open tubules in the exposed roots of the teeth to help decrease sensitivity.
Lasers can make dental treatments more efficient, cost effective, and comfortable. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved laser dentistry as a treatment option for several dental conditions.
Dr. Crystal
Dr. Crystal is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine and went on to receive training at one of the most prestigious dental residencies in the nation, The Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital Advanced Education in General Dentistry in San Antonio, TX.
Inform & Educate
We empower you to make wise, well-informed decisions for your oral health through patient education and individual consultation. We do this through the modern technology we offer. Our digital x-rays are equipped with special cavity-detecting software, and we also utilize an intraoral camera to show you what we see in your mouth. We also make sure to stay up-to-date on your medical history, current medications and any other factors that might affect your dental health and treatment.
Insurance & Billing
We are an insurance-friendly office, so please call us about your plan. We will do our best to assist you in maximizing your benefits. At your first visit to our Mentor dental practice, we will ask you for your current insurance information. We may ask you to confirm this information at subsequent visits so we can stay up-to-date and fully informed to serve you. As a courtesy to you, we file all claim forms electronically, provide postage for special claims, and we track claims for you.
The Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Laser technology has enabled Dr. Crystal Dental to perform procedures that are vastly less invasive than scalpel-based procedures of the past. The benefits of laser dentistry include:
- No surgical scalpels.
- Sutures are not necessary.
- Bleeding is minimized.
- Recovery is shortened and quicker.
- Sterilizes tissue surfaces.
- Treats precisely targeted tissue without affecting the surrounding tissue.
Our team is personally committed to understanding your dental goals from your perspective. We work closely with you to develop an individualized treatment plan for creating the smile of your dreams.
How Does Laser Dentistry Work?
All lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light. When used for dental procedures, the laser acts as a cutting instrument or a vaporizer of tissue that it comes in contact with. When used in teeth-whitening procedures, the laser acts as a heat source and enhances the effect of tooth-bleaching agents.
Laser dentistry is an efficient way to re-shape and re-contour gum tissue and enamel. An uneven gum line or excess gum tissue can affect your self-confidence regarding the appearance of your smile. Teeth that are uneven or misshapen can affect the overall attractiveness of your smile. Laser energy ablates the tissue painlessly and allows Dr. Crystal Dental to target tissue very precisely without causing excessive bleeding. The laser cauterizes as it cuts, reducing bleeding and sterilizing the area as it works.
Common hard tissue procedures include:
- Cavity detection. Lasers can detect cavities early by finding evidence of tooth decay.
- Treating tooth sensitivity. Teeth that have sensitivity to hot and cold can be treated with dental lasers that seal the tubules on the tooth’s root.
Common soft tissue procedures include:
- Treating a gummy smile. Lasers are used to reshape gum tissue associated with a gummy smile, in which the excess gums tissue covers much of the tooth.
- Crown lengthening. This procedure reshapes gum tissue and bone for healthier tooth structure, which helps with placing restorations on the teeth.
- Treating tongue frenulum attachment. If you have a thick or tight frenulum (the fold of skin under the front part of tongue that anchors to the mouth floor) you may benefit from a laser frenectomy. This treatment helps children whose restricted frenulum causes them to be tongue-tied, have difficulty breastfeeding, or have a speech impediment.
- Removing soft tissue folds. Lasers can remove soft tissue folds from ill-fitting dentures without pain or sutures.
Other laser procedures include:
- Viewing tissues. Optical coherence tomography allows us to safely see inside a tooth or gum tissue.
- Removing benign tumors. Lasers can remove tumors from the palate, gums, and sides of the lips and cheeks through a pain and suture-free method.
- Treating obstructive sleep apnea. Lasers can reshape the throat and relieve associated breathing problems when sleep apnea is caused by tissue overgrowth in the throat.
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint) treatment. Lasers can easily help reduce pain and inflammation in the joint.
- Nerve regeneration. Lasers can help regenerate damaged nerves, blood vessels, and scars.
- Treating cold sores. Lasers can minimize healing time and reduce pain from cold sores.
- Teeth whitening. Lasers speed up the bleaching process during teeth-whitening sessions.
Laser treatments can vary in price, depending on the procedure being done and the laser equipment used. Compared to non-laser treatment, they may be less expensive because the laser treatment is usually completed in fewer sessions.
Comprehensive Dentistry
Comprehensive dentistry with Dr. Crystal Schneider, involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the teeth, gums and jaw. She believes that preventive care is the most important aspect of comprehensive dentistry. Dr. Schneider aims to identify and treat problems while they’re still small, which can save you time, money and more extensive dental treatment.
Cosmetic Dentistry
An attractive smile can boost your confidence, help you make better first impressions on others, and improve your personal and professional life. We provide several cosmetic dental treatments that can subtly enhance your smile, and there are many other more dramatic treatments, often called “smile makeovers,” that can give you the smile of your dreams.
Specialized Dentistry
Missing teeth can take the joy out of the everyday things we love, from smiling and talking with confidence to eating our favorite foods. All of these things can become easier again with specialized dental care. Dr. Schneider offers advanced treatments that will not just restore your smile to its former health – they’ll make it look and feel even better than before!
Our Devotion to Family Dentistry is Unparalleled
Our attention to detail is second to none. Either when it comes to your personalized dental care or the array of amenities in the relaxing comfort of our office. The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental goes the extra mile in providing communication and consultation, realizing that we collectively are committed to developing long lasting relationships with every patient. We find gratification in life changing healthy smiles. Call us now at 440-974-4449 to make an appointment to evaluate if you might benefit from laser dentistry. Our office is located at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.