Good evening, this week I want to share some exciting new techniques in dental science that may change the way we go to the dentist. With this new technique, patient’s teeth may never be cleaner or whiter. Scientists have found a way to use laser beams to help destroy bacteria and gum inflammation. This technique could forever change the experience of a dental cleaning.
(Picture from Imagine Dental)
The article I reviewed, “Study Suggests Benefits of Laser Treatments for Dental Problems”, explains that researchers have discovered a new way to attack oral bacterial colonies. By using various laser wavelengths, scientists have been able to target and used destroy bacterial colonies found deep in the gum tissue that a normal dental cleaning would fail to do. These lasers can prevent gingivitis, or gum inflammation. In addition, researchers are still experimenting how deep the lasers can safely penetrate gum tissue. In some experiments the lasers were able to kill bacterial colonies 3mm deep, which surpasses how deep a normal cleaning can reach.
(Picture from Melinda Marino DDS)
This exciting new laser technique may change the way we go to our yearly dental checkups is still in the experimental phase. One of the major hurdles it has to overcome before seeing it in a dental office near you is cost. The cost of dental lasers can reach a price up to $100,000, which would be out of most dentist’s budget. With the development of more efficient ways of cleaning teeth it is safe to say that the dental industry is on the cusp of major change when it comes to teeth cleaning. More clinical trials are scheduled laser cleaner in the the near future,. Hopefully the use of laser treatments at your dental office will be common within the next few years. I hope you enjoyed this post and see you next week!
Robert Mora
“Study Suggests Benefits of Laser Treatments for Dental Problems”, Medical News Today, 24 Oct 2016, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/313648.php, accessed 13 Nov 2016
As someone who is not necessarily proud of their teeth, I am very interested in new innovations in dentistry. It's crazy that lasers can be used to whiten teeth and clean gums!
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