About Laser Dentistry
At Holmdel Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, our focus is on your comfort during and after treatment. That’s why we offer you the option of dental laser procedures whenever possible.
Our dental laser uses a narrow, powerful beam of light that can reach deep for damaged bone or gum tissue and the bacteria attacking it, actually evaporating them.
The laser beam is highly focused and targets only damaged tissue, protecting healthy teeth, bones and gums. Using the precision of a dental laser to reach areas around the teeth needing treatment, rather than cutting away healthy tissue with a scalpel to gain access, helps us increase your comfort, lessen anxiety, and produce optimal results.
What are the benefits of laser dentistry?
Greater comfort – Laser technology allows us to target a treatment area more precisely than with traditional manual techniques. It’s a less invasive procedure with less impact on surrounding tissue and reduced post-operative pain. You may not even need pain medication.
Reduced or no anesthesia – In many cases, non-invasive dental laser procedures may not require anesthesia at all. Patients return to their daily routine with minimum to no side effects.
Reduced bleeding – The high-energy laser light beam actually aids in clotting blood during periodontal treatment, resulting in less bleeding during and after a procedure.
Reduced swelling, no stitches – Because the laser beam dissolves rather than cuts gum tissue, stitches(sutures) are needed less often and sometimes can be eliminated entirely. Swelling is likewise reduced.
Reduced risk of infection – The energy from the dental laser beam actually sterilizes the periodontal treatment area, lessening the chance of bacterial infection.
Faster healing – Less tissue damage, less bleeding and less swelling means quicker healing and tissue regeneration.
Improved aesthetics – When a traditional procedure cuts away healthy gingiva in order to access damaged areas around the tooth, that space is left empty and may show during the healing process. The precision of the dental laser allows us to treat those areas without removing healthy tissue. Healthy, intact gums maintain a pleasing gum line all around your smile, and help protect teeth from sensitivity.
Are dental lasers safe?
The FDA approved dental lasers as safe for use on patients in 1990. Since then, technology has only improved.
Dr. Aldredge has been using a dental laser in his practice for 12 years. In 2011, he was certified by the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry in the advanced LANAP and LAPIP procedures using the Millennium PerioLaseR MVP-7, an Nd: YAG dental laser.
When do you use a dental laser?
When appropriate, we use the dental laser in these procedures to shape soft gum tissue, eliminate diseased tissue, and help reattach teeth, gums and bone.
- Gum reshaping
- Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
- Excess soft tissue removal
- Biopsy
- Regrowing bone and gums (LANAP® Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure)
- Saving failing implants (LAPIP™ Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure)
We trust the dental laser to give our patients a positive experience with outstanding results.
Millennium PerioLase MVP-7
The Millennium PerioLase MVP-7 was introduced in 1994. Its hallmark technique, the LANAP Protocol, was the first periodontal treatment ever granted a U.S. patent. It was the first dental laser to receive clearance from the FDA for removal of soft tissue, and the world’s first dental laser cleared by the FDA for true tissue regeneration. We’re proud to offer this technology to our patients.
