Dental anxiety can occur for any number of reasons, but the shrill sound of a drill is a contributing factor for many. The penetrating whine of the drill is relentless and sharp. Those who are sensitive to it may find themselves gritting their teeth as it persists. This sound alone has kept many from seeking dental care, but laser dentistry is here to change all that. Laser dentistry is quiet, precise, and painless. The removal of the traditional drill from the dental practice has many dental anxiety patients finally seeking the treatment they need.
The Impact of Laser Dentistry On Anxiety
Dental anxiety also referred to as dental phobia, is the fear and nervousness that appears when the afflicted consider a dental visit. The severity varies from patient to patient, with some experiencing crippling anxiety anytime a dentist is mentioned. Those who suffer from it may do everything they can to avoid going to the dentist, no matter the reason. The dental drill has been a persistent trigger of dental anxiety for many years.
The addition of the laser drill to the dental toolkit has helped to ease the onset of dental anxiety for many. A laser is a beam of coherent light that can be used to perform many functions. In a laser dental drill, it’s capable of eliminating decay, performing surgical procedures painlessly, and much more. Some of the pros of using laser dentistry include:
- The elimination of the shrill sound of the drill
- Increased precision that prevents unnecessary destruction of healthy tissue
- Vaporizes and seals surgical sites, reducing discomfort and speeding healing
- Limits need for anesthetic due to nearly painless operation
Not only do laser drills lack the shrill sound of their traditional counterparts, but they emit a soft pulsing sound when in use. Some dental anxiety patients report that this sound soothes them, actually improving their anxiety during dental visits. Laser drills have been an important part of the dental industry for a few years, and their uses only continue to grow. They are currently used to eliminate gum disease, address tooth decay, and aid in dental whitening.
These tools are able to improve tooth decay removal by only eliminating the material that has been compromised. Once this material has been vaporized, the laser helps to smooth the area for placement of the filling. These same properties make it exceedingly efficient at addressing gum tissue that has become infected or decayed. They can even be used to reshape the gums after the bacteria has been removed.
They have proven to be quite efficient at addressing tooth discoloration as well. The need for bleach and abrasives has been reduced by the laser’s ability to remove minimal amounts of dental surface. Only the tissue that has become discolored is removed, leaving bright, healthy enamel behind.
Talk To Your Dentist About Laser Dentistry
Reach out to your dental provider to find out if they’ve made the switch to laser dentistry. They can tell you all the procedures they use it in and how it’s improved patient care. If they haven’t, you can encourage them to do so to make your visits more pleasant and effective.
