Do you or anyone you know avoid the dentist at all costs? This dental anxiety and fear is so common it has even been given a name. Dentophobia: the fear of dentists. There are many reasons why this fear exists, but the good news is: there's hope! There is now a laser that can be used to welcome fearful patients back into the dental chair.
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The Waterlase is a revolutionary device created by BIOLASE® Technology, Inc. that is used instead of the dental drill. The laser uses hydrokinetic technology to cut teeth. The Waterlase produces a laser beam that energizes an exact stream of water that, when directed at a tooth, removes enamel, dentin, tooth decay and cavities.
This gentle laser does not just replace the shrill hum of the dentist's drill; it also has the added benefit of eliminating the needle! That's right; the Waterlase is so gentle anesthesia is often not required when performing dental treatment.
Laser dentistry does not completely eliminate the need for anesthesia; each case is treated on an individual basis. The type of treatment is factored in, as well as the patient's threshold for pain. The laser itself "causes a temporarily analgesic effect on the tooth." In other words, it's self-numbing!
The Waterlase was approved by the Federal Drug Administration for use on hard tissue (teeth) in 1998. A mere two years later, the device received approval for use on all oral tissue, including gum disease treatment! The heat from the laser actually stops bleeding gums and aids in blood clotting, thereby reducing pain and healing time.