Laser focus
Use of new technology helps take the fear out of going to the dentist
For many people, the prospect of going for a dental procedure is met with fear and trepidation.
But a growing trend, laser dentistry, which uses energy generated by light to remove soft or hard tissue in the oral cavity, is putting more and more patients at ease as they consider time spent in the chair.
Laser dentistry isn’t exactly new. It’s been around since the early 1990s.
But in the early days the equipment was cost prohibitive, so not many dental practices took the plunge.
Angstadt Family Dental, with locations in Wyomssing, Exton and Lancaster, is one that did.
Dr. Eric R. Angstadt said when he first started using lasers, he was among less than one-quarter of 1% of dentists who used laser technology. Now, they are much more affordable and so more dentists use them.
To him, Angstadt said, it’s always been important to remain on the cutting edge of new technology. Now, with three decades of laser dentistry under his belt, he has mastered the techniques and finds the technology to be indispensible.
His practice uses the Waterlase iPlus from Biolase, which combines water, air and laser energy to energize water molecules to very precisely create a cool, biological cutting of soft and hard tissues. As a result, the patient feels no heat, no pressure and no vibration to cause pain, which often means no needle to administer a numbing agent, as well.
The lasers, which can be used instead of drills for certain procedures, also create fewer aerosols than tradition dental handpieces, so there is less bacteria emitted into the air, which makes for a safer environment.
“I always tell patients I’m always learning,” he said. “I’m always a neophyte. I’m always trying to find the next best thing. Are we missing something? Is there something better?”
Lasers’ uses and benefits
Angstadt believes lasers are the best thing going for procedures such as removing dental decay on tooth structure, shaping tissue for cosmetic effect, creating better margins for crowns or fillings and exposing areas of decay below the gumline.
Benefits include better accuracy and precision, reduced trauma, improved cavity fillings, less bleeding and swelling, no needles and fewer dental visits.
“It’s also made dentistry quicker and easier,” Angstadt said. “As busy as people are, this is another thing that’s made it much more convenient for patients’ lives.”
Margins for crowns
Angstadt said one of the more common uses of lasers is in creating margins for crowns. The laser troughs the tissue very easily, literally in seconds.
“You have a better margin, it’s not bleeding, and you’ve actual been able to kill bacteria with that laser energy, too,” he said, “so you have a cleaner, more sterile field, and you get a much better margin.
“It’s made me a much better dentist. It would be very difficult for me to practice to the same degree of efficiency and efficacy if I