Cairns Laser Dentistry

Future Dental is excited to introduce the latest in advanced dental procedures

Aside from the obvious advantage of minimising the use of needles, the Waterlase laser also provides pinpoint accuracy, reducing the chances of damaging healthy tissue.

Laser dentistry with Waterlase and Ilase

Waterlase dentistry uses a patented technology combining laser energy and a spray of water, a process called HydroPhotonics, to perform a wide range of procedures in teeth, gum and bone more comfortably. Heat and vibration are the cause of most of the discomfort associated with the drill. Since the cutting action of the Waterlase does not transmit heat or vibration, many dental procedures can now be performed without anaesthesia.

The Waterlase ErCrYSGG brand of laser is one of the few dental lasers which alone is capable of working on all dental tissues, i.e. hard tooth structure (enamel and dentine) and soft tissues and bone. It is able to replace the use of the drill in many instances, and some fillings can be performed with little or no anaesthesia. This means fewer shots and fewer numb lips, reducing patient anxiety and providing a more relaxing dental experience.

Our most frequent use of the WATERLASE is soft tissue surgery as in Lip and tongue ties, cosmetic gum reshaping, and removal of benign growths, although several classes of fillings that a hard tissue laser alone can achieve.

Perhaps its most frequent use is to gently perform soft tissue (gums) procedures with little or no bleeding, so we can now provide many services that previously required referral to a specialist. The laser also prepares your teeth in a way that maximises bond strength and provides you with longer lasting fillings.

We regularly use laser to perform cosmetic gum lifts (gingivoplasty) with several thousand cases completed to date. This is used in either gummy smiles where excess pink gum is visible above the teeth on smiling and where the gum line across the front and side teeth is uneven or asymmetrical.

It is also used where cavities or cracks extend below the gum line to give access to these problems for reliable lasting repair. Where deeply below the gum line, these problems previously meant the need to remove these teeth.

Frenectomy

Laser is also frequently used for minor soft tissue surgical procedures like frenectomies and benign soft tissue tumours excision.

Frenectomy is the procedure for removing little tissue extensions under the lips and tongue. These tissue excesses can cause a tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) which can affect speech development in young children and even in newborn babies who cannot attach to the breast to start feeding in the first few days of life.

These tissue excesses can cause a tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) which can affect speech development in young children and even in newborn babies who cannot attach to the breast to start feeding in the first few days of life.

There is only a very short time window between birth and two weeks of age when it can be done. After this, the only way to have it done is with a general anaesthetic or paediatrician or GP using surgical scissors. An anaesthetist will not perform a general anaesthetic on an infant under 12 months of age without very good reason. From 1 year to about 7 years, a general anaesthetic will be required. After that, it can be done routinely under local anaesthetic in our surgery.

Where these tissue extensions (frena) occur under the lips, they can pull the gum away from the roots of the teeth causing a great threat to the life of the front teeth. At times, these frena will cause gaps to remain between the upper front teeth, which are often unsightly and embarrassing to young people.

The Waterlase laser is by far the most advanced tool to address these problems, and is done very simply with no need for specialist care, general anaesthetic, or any stitches or strong pain control measures afterwards. Post-operative pain, bleeding and infection are virtually completely eliminated and usually no stitches are even needed.

Laser Dentistry FAQs

What is laser dentistry used for?

We use laser dentistry to perform a number of treatments, one of the most common of which is soft tissue (gum) procedures. We regularly use laser to perform cosmetic gum lifts, but the method can also be used in cases where cavities or cracks extend below the gum line. Laser dentistry is also used in minor soft tissue procedures, such as frenectomy, a process in which tissue extensions are removed under the lips and tongue to prevent tongue tie in babies and young children. We are also able to use laser to remove benign soft tissue tumours.

Does laser dentistry hurt?

No. The laser that we use is very advanced and there is no need for local anaesthetic during many dental procedures. In fact, a wide range of procedures can now be performed very comfortably, as the laser does not transmit any heat or vibration. There is no need for stitches following a laser procedure, and post-operative pain, as well as bleeding and infection are significantly reduced when compared to other, more traditional dentistry techniques. For this reason, laser tends to be much more relaxing and is often a good option for anxious patients.

Is laser dentistry safe?

As safe as a procedure can be. At Future Dental, we use cutting-edge technology to ensure patient safety and comfort. Our dentists have been fully trained to use the laser technology, and have received advanced training in the use of lasers in Australia, as well as in the USA and New Zealand. Laser dentistry is minimally invasive, so post-operative pain is minimal. There is also very little risk of bleeding and infection, making the process safe. If you have any questions or concerns about how laser dentistry works, we encourage you to discuss them with your dentist when you come in for a consultation.

Can a laser be used instead of a drill for dental work?

Yes. In some cases, it is possible to use a laser instead of a drill to perform dental procedures. In fact, at Future Dental, we use a laser that is capable of working on all dental tissues, including the hard tooth structure like enamel and dentine, as well as soft tissues and bone. Most commonly, we use a laser to perform soft tissue procedures, and it can be used in place of the drill in many instances, reducing the need for anaesthesia and providing a more comfortable and relaxing dental experience.