Laser device

 

Lasers have been used in dentistry since 1994 to treat a number of dental problems. This technologies have been developing constantly, thus it makes a dentist work safer and more attractive for the patients.

All lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light. When used for surgical and dental procedures, the laser acts as a cutting instrument or a vaporizer of tissue that it comes in contact with. When used for "curing" a filling, the laser helps to strengthen the bond between the filling and the tooth. When used in teeth-whitening procedures, the laser acts as a heat source and enhances the effect of tooth-bleaching agents.

Undoubted advantages of laser are: dentists may not need to use a drill or administer anesthesia in some procedures, allowing the patient to enjoy a more relaxed dental experience. Laser procedures can be more precise. Also, lasers can reduce symptoms and healing times associated with traditional therapies; reduce the amount of bacteria in both diseased gum tissue and in tooth cavities; and control bleeding during surgery. One more benefit of the laser is - bleeding is lessened as the laser encourages clotting what makes laser treatment a perfect decision for patients with diabetes.

 

What is laser use in dentistry?

 

• Reducing dental sensitivity: just a few minutes of laser waved over that sensitive area will diminish or eliminate that source of discomfort for a couple of years.

•  Tooth decay. Lasers are used to remove decay within a tooth and prepare the surrounding enamel for receipt of the filling. Lasers are also used to "cure" or harden a filling.

• Gum disease. Lasers are used to reshape gums and remove bacteria during root canal procedures.

• Teeth whitening. Lasers are used to speed up the in-office teeth whitening procedures. A peroxide bleaching solution, applied to the tooth surface, is "activated" by laser energy, which speeds up of the whitening process.

• Biopsy of gum tissues. Lasers can be used to remove a small piece of tissue (called a biopsy) so that it can be examined for further diagnosis and treatment.

 

It is important to underline that laser treatment is not panacea but a deliberate choice of your dentist.

Dr. David Lavi and his medical center are ready to offer an optimal and suitable decision tailored just for you!

 

Dental (laughing) gas in dentistry

 

The most commonly employed technique used in conscious sedation dentistry is inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen or "laughing gas". Dentists use this technique to relieve pain and dental anxiety.

 

The goal sought when laughing gas is used is to eliminate patient's nervousness, making the patient more comfortable while the sedation dentist
is able to more effectively complete the planned dental care procedure while the patient is sedated. Consult with your dentist to find out if these
pains free procedure is right for you.

Nitrous oxide is usually referred to as "laughing gas". It can reduce pain, produce pleasant feelings, and sometimes create a slight numbing sensation. Patients often begin to feel its effects after breathing the gas for as little as two to five minutes. Some people experience mild lightheadedness. Others get the giggles, giving nitrous oxide its nickname. The effects of the gas only last a short time and wear off quickly once its administration is discontinued.This was first used in 1844 when Horace Wells, a dentist from Connecticut, tried it on himself when he got his tooth extracted. Wells and other experts thought that nitrous oxide could keep patients free from pain during dental procedures and surgery although nitrous oxide is not an effective pain killer. Nowadays, nitrous oxide is used to help people relax. It can also allow other anesthetics to work better.

Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas that has a pleasing taste and odour. Before a dosage of nitrous oxide, people will inhale one hundred percent of oxygen through a mask or through a soft nosepiece. Afterwards, the nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen. Dentists normally have a mixture that is composed of about one fourth of nitrous oxide and three fourths of oxygen. Nitrous oxide usually takes effect in about five minutes.

Since the gas reaches the brain within seconds, its effect can be felt in the form of pain relief in as little as two minutes. Once administration is discontinued, it clears from the body almost as quickly. A patient can be rendered fully conscious again moments later without any side effects. Nitrous oxide has a profound effect on the nerves of the gums. It can often be used in place of local anesthesia to treat gum disease or to make injections more comfortable. Nitrous oxide is one of the safest forms of sedation available in medical science today.

 

If you are considering using nitrous oxide at your next dental visit, be sure to eat a small meal within four hours prior to your appointment.
Larger meals can increase nausea. As with all forms of sedation, every individual responds differently, so it is important to discuss your medical history and expectations with our doctors. Nitrous oxide may be inappropriate for medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), emphysema, and some other respiratory illnesses, but it is well tolerated by most people.