Composite vs. Amalgam Fillings
If you need to have a cavity filled, you may be wondering what the best materials option is. Dentistry has evolved over the years and
We use a dental laser for several types of treatment, like detecting tooth decay or cavities, treating gum disease or canker sores, and reshaping gums without traditional surgery. Laser technology is less invasive, and enables us to perform more effective procedures and shorten treatment and recovery times.
Using a laser for dental surgical procedures means we can avoid traditional scalpels and sutures. Instead, the laser simply removes damaged or diseased tissue, and even boosts healing and kills bacteria in the mouth.
Laser-assisted gum disease treatment is not only effective, it’s quicker, minimally invasive, and offers better recovery times and outcomes. Talk with us about this improved method for treating periodontitis.
While lasers are at the forefront of dental technology, Dr. McCormick has also been using them in his practice for more than 15 years, and stays current on the latest research and applications in laser dentistry. His experience means patients can be confident in choosing laser treatment.
Laser dentistry can be a less invasive method of treating several dental issues. For instance, laser-assisted gum disease treatment helps to control periodontitis, or severe gum disease, by eliminating pockets of plaque and infection at the roots of the teeth. This is a treatment that previously would need to be done by cutting into the gums and cleaning out such pockets surgically. Laser treatment relieves some dental anxiety as it is easier for both the patient and the dentist, and can be done more quickly, with better recovery times.
Using a laser also allows for differential treatment between healthy tissue and diseased tissue very precisely, which improves his ability to treat issues like cavities, infections and gum disease without harming healthy tissue. Damaged tissue shows up much darker under the light used in laser dentistry, and absorbs more of the laser light, so this characteristic allows us to effectively treat canker sores and other soft tissue procedures. Laser treatment also reduces bacteria on the teeth and surrounding tissues, helping the healing process and preventing infection.
Laser gum care, whether we’re treating gum disease or reshaping the gum line, means the patient can enjoy less discomfort, a quick recovery and a boosted healing process. Since the laser replaces the scalpels and sutures we might otherwise use, gum tissue heals faster. In fact, the light used in our dental lasers is shown to stimulate the tissue for better blood flow and subsequent healing afterward.
When we’re performing laser-assisted gum disease treatment, the light stimulation also helps new, healthy gum tissue form around the teeth, replacing damaged tissue and helping to re-attaching the gums where they’ve pulled away from the teeth. This means a better recovery from gum disease and less chance for recurrence in the future.
We find our patients benefit from the use of lasers during gum reshaping and crown lengthening procedures. They can be used to gently remove excess gum tissue, if your smile has become too “gummy” or inflamed . Or, in crown lengthening, the laser can be used to reach below the gum line and control the shape of the gum easily, in a less-invasive way. Use of a laser means that any bleeding is minimal and easily controlled, and affected tissues will heal faster after surgery.
Although dental lasers are still considered cutting edge technology, Dr. McCormick has been using them for more than 15 years, and has extensive experience using laser dentistry to help patients have the most comfortable experience possible. Get in touch with our office to see if laser treatment can be part of your dental care.
Dr. Andrew T. McCormick is a native Californian originally from Monterey County. He graduated from U.S.C. school of dentistry and subsequently opened his practice in Santa Rosa, finding Sonoma County to be an ideal place to locate.
Learning more about the connection between dentistry, medicine, and medications and environmental toxins is of particular interest to Dr. McCormick because he sees the effects of these on his patients. Because of this, he has sought out non-traditional and progressive educations. Some of these groups have recently been the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH) and the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT).
One of Dr. McCormick’s interests is involvement in the community. He was an early participant in Leadership Santa Rosa and now he sits on the board for PDI, a dental clinic in Windsor for underprivileged children. In January 2010, he became an accredited member of AACD, one of 350 dentists worldwide, after extensive work to raise his level of expertise in cosmetic and rehabilitative dentistry. Click here to read more about Dr. McCormick.
If you need to have a cavity filled, you may be wondering what the best materials option is. Dentistry has evolved over the years and
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