Laser Dentistry
Laser Dentistry in Long Valley, NJ
Illuminate Your Smile Through Laser Dentistry with Dr. Rogler
A bright, healthy smile can do wonders for your confidence and quality of life. With advanced dental techniques like laser dentistry, keeping your smile radiant is easier than ever. Dr. Ralph Rogler and the team at Rogler Family Dentistry in Long Valley, NJ use laser dentistry to painlessly and effectively treat various dental conditions.
Call (908) 850-0506 today to schedule your consultation for laser dentistry at our Long Valley dental office!
What Is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry refers to all dental procedures that use lasers to treat tooth and gum conditions. Lasers use focused light energy to efficiently remove or shape oral tissues. Different wavelength lasers target and treat various issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and more.
Laser energy sterilizes treatment sites by killing bacteria and sealing nerve endings and small blood vessels through a process called photocoagulation. This means laser dentistry is often less painful, involving fewer instruments and showing faster healing than conventional drilling and scraping.
Lasers allow dentists like Dr. Rogler to be highly precise, avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The pinpointed nature of lasers gives dentists better access to tiny spaces and minimizes patients’ discomfort during and after procedures.
Types of Laser Dentistry
There are many types of laser dentistry Dr. Rogler may use to improve patients’ oral health, including:
Hard Tissue Lasers: Lasers like CO2 and Er:YAG emit infrared light optimal for shaping bone and teeth during procedures like cavity preparations. These high-powered lasers can remove decay more conservatively than drills.
Soft Tissue Lasers: Diode, Nd:YAG, and Argon lasers efficiently treat soft tissues around teeth. Common uses include exposing partially erupted wisdom teeth, reshaping gum lines, and biopsying oral lesions.
Low-Level Light Therapy Lasers: Also called “cold” lasers, these low-powered therapeutic lasers reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration. They can reduce pain and accelerate healing from oral surgery, canker sores, and orthodontic adjustment.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry provides many perks over conventional approaches, including:
Less Pain: Laser energy seals nerve endings so most procedures cause little to no discomfort, reducing and often eliminating the need for anesthetic shots.
Quicker Healing: Laser light stimulates faster healing, so patients tend to recover quicker after laser dental treatments.
Minimal Bleeding: The sealing of blood vessels means most laser procedures involve very little blood loss.
Increased Precision: Laser light can target areas as small as several hundred microns for refined, accurate treatments.
Reduced Damage: The conservative nature of lasers means surrounding healthy tooth structures remain largely unaffected.
Faster Procedures: No drill contact means many laser treatments can be completed faster than traditional methods.
Greater Comfort: Vibration, pressure, heat, and noise are all minimized for increased patient comfort.
The Laser Dentistry Process at Rogler Family Dentistry
If Dr. Rogler determines laser dentistry suits your oral health needs, your appointment will begin much like regular dental visits. The steps unique to laser treatments involve:
Protective Eyewear: You’ll don specially filtered glasses to shield your eyes from laser light. Dr. Rogler and the dental staff will also wear eyewear.
Targeted Treatment: Guided by a tiny probe tip, Dr. Rogler will direct pinpoint laser light at the treatment area, precisely removing/reshaping tissue.
Water Cooling: A constant water spray will keep the treatment site temperature-controlled for your safety and comfort.
Periodic Suctioning: Dr. Rogler will suction debris as needed so he can continue working clearly and efficiently.
Eventual Tissue Inspection: Once treatment finishes, Dr. Rogler will examine the area and take any final measures necessary.
You’ll leave the office with perfectly contoured oral architecture free of bacteria and primed for fast healing.
Post-Laser Dentistry Care
While laser dentistry accelerates recovery, proper aftercare remains important. Be sure to:
Take Prescribed Medications: Follow Dr. Rogler’s instructions for any prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antiviral medication, or pain relievers.
Eat Softer Foods: Stick to a soft, lukewarm diet for the first day or so after extensive laser treatments.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Gentle brushing and flossing will keep the site clean without disturbing it.
Avoid Certain Activities: Refrain from tobacco use, very hot/cold food and drinks, and strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours post-procedure.
Attend All Follow-Ups: See Dr. Rogler as directed so he can monitor your healing and results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of issues can be treated with lasers?
Lasers can treat tooth decay and gum disease, biopsy oral lesions, expose partially erupted teeth, perform frenectomies, reshape gum lines, and more. Lasers can even whiten teeth.
Are lasers safe?
Yes. Extensive research confirms laser dentistry is safe and effective when practitioners like Dr. Rogler are properly trained and use the appropriate settings and techniques. Protective eyewear also ensures safety.
Do lasers completely replace drill-based methods?
While lasers are extremely useful, they do not replicate all the capabilities of dental drills just yet. Rotary instruments are still often needed for procedures like crown preparations. Lasers complement traditional tools.
Will my insurance cover laser dentistry?
Like most advanced dental techniques, laser treatments may incur out-of-pocket fees not fully covered by every dental insurance plan. Check your policy details or speak to staff about costs. Financing plans may be available.
Achieve Optimal Oral Health Through Laser Dentistry
Dr. Ralph Rogler stays ahead of advancing dental techniques so he can provide patients with the latest evidence-based care for durable, aesthetically pleasing outcomes. See how transformative lasers can improve your oral health by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Rogler today.
Call Rogler Family Dentistry at (908) 850-0506 or request an appointment online to experience laser dentistry from a trusted Long Valley dentist.