Dental lasers are valuable dental tools we use to cut or contour the soft tissues of the mouth gently. Lasers use light and heat to offer minimally invasive care. We offer laser dentistry at Broadway Dental in Galveston, TX, to help patients maintain their oral health and the comfort of their smiles.
Laser Dentistry Treatments in Galveston, TX
We can use a dental laser to perform these treatments:
Crown Lengthening
It is no secret that dentists are committed to saving teeth. This is why we fill a cavity instead of pulling the tooth. Cavities can decay to teeth where restoration is virtually impossible without crown lengthening. Crown lengthening is a routine surgical procedure that remodels the contour of the gum line.
The procedure does not lengthen the crown but rather lowers the gum line. This is the only option when tooth structure is insufficient to affix a crown. Sometimes a tooth has been broken below the gum line. In this instance, crown lengthening successfully exposes more of the tooth so that the dentist has something to work with.
Frenectomy
A frenulum is a piece of tissue that prevents an organ from moving. This tissue attaches your upper lip to the gums, while another connects the lower lip to the gums. A too short or thick frenulum will cause problems in speech patterns and tooth misalignment.
In infants, a shortened frenulum underneath the tongue will inhibit breastfeeding. Corrective action is necessary to resolve the situation when the frenulum disrupts movement, growth, or development.
A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure performed in your dentist’s office. It can be performed with either a scalpel or laser and takes less than 15 minutes. Using a laser causes very little bleeding and does not require stitches. A laser also results in less postoperative discomfort and a shorter healing time.
Young children and infants are put under general anesthesia for the procedure, and adults have the procedure performed using local anesthesia. If your child needs a frenectomy, there is nothing to worry about. The procedure is very successful and causes minimal discomfort.
Soft Tissue Graft
A soft tissue graft is used when a significant amount of gum recession exists in a particular area. Slight gum recession can usually be fixed with a few changes to your oral hygiene routine to take better care of your teeth and gums.
When the gingiva recedes further, it exposes you to a greater risk of infection and bacterial penetration. You will likely be more sensitive to hot and cold foods when you have receding gums.
If the gums recede enough to expose the root, you can set yourself up for more serious problems. The root is softer than the enamel making it more vulnerable to bacteria and plaque.
A soft tissue graft can be performed to restore proper gum level and functionality. This is done by either removing soft tissue from the roof of the mouth or repositioning healthy gum tissue from adjacent teeth. This procedure is very predictable and has a high success rate. This procedure should be performed before more serious problems develop and periodontal surgery is necessary.
Receive Comfortable Care
Call Broadway Dental for modern dental treatment at 409-235-0789. You can also request a dental appointment with us online.