But you’re not sure if laser dentistry is covered by your insurance, and you don’t want to be surprised with a large dental payment!
Another element, though, may influence whether or not your insurance will cover your treatment.
Hear from patients who have utilized laser dentistry for the first time (video)
Is laser dentistry more expensive?
It’s Just Too Expensive It’s Not Worth It! Laser Dentistry Is Just Too Expensive It’s Not Worth It! While there is some truth to this misconception, the cost difference for simple treatments like gum contouring and dental decay therapy is usually minor. When compared to regular dental drills, laser tools are relatively costly.
Is laser teeth cleaning worth it?
The contaminated tissue along the gum line can be removed with a laser dental cleaning, and the gums can be restored to full health. However, it is a far less intrusive technique that most patients find far more comfortable than standard periodontal cleaning.
Before having a laser dental cleaning, a patient should be aware of the following information.
Laser dental cleaning vs traditional cleaning
Traditional periodontal cleanings and laser dental cleanings accomplish the same objective. Gums that are cleaner and healthier encourage optimal dental health.
However, there are a few important distinctions between the two. A typical periodontal cleaning involves a lot more scraping and poking between the gumline and the tooth. This is done to get rid of all the tartar and plaque that has accumulated over time.
Laser dental cleanings remove the toxic tissue that causes gum disease by evaporating it. In most cases, scaling and root planing are still required, but the entire procedure is substantially less invasive.
Benefits of laser dental cleaning
Laser dental cleanings often cost a little more than standard periodontal cleanings. However, when you consider the multiple benefits of laser dental cleaning over traditional periodontal cleaning procedures, the extra cost is generally justified.
In people with gum disease, laser dental cleaning provides for a considerably faster recovery time because the operation causes far less swelling and discomfort. One of the most significant advantages of laser dental cleaning over conventional periodontal cleaning treatments is that it causes significantly less anxiety in patients.
How laser dental cleaning works
The laser dental cleaning procedure can be broken down into three steps:
The dentist must manually remove the buildup of hazardous chemicals along the gumline using typical cleaning methods. The patient has pain and discomfort as a result of this. However, with laser dental cleaning, the dentist may now remove sick tissue and prepare the gumline for a less invasive root scaling and planing procedure without the patient experiencing any discomfort.
Who laser dental cleaning is for
You may benefit from a laser dental cleaning if you have indications of gum disease, such as sensitive or bleeding gums.
Laser dental cleaning has been shown to be successful in restoring gum health, allowing patients to preserve their teeth as they age. This reduces the chances of more significant oral health issues, such as oral cancer.
Why do dentists not use lasers?
- Many routine dental treatments cannot be performed using lasers. Lasers, for example, cannot be used to treat cavities between teeth, around previous fillings, or massive cavities requiring crown preparation. Lasers also can’t be used to remove broken crowns or silver fillings, or to prepare teeth for bridges.
- Even when a laser is utilized, traditional drills may be required to shape the filling, adjust the bite, and polish the filling.
- Laser treatment is more expensive than using a dental drill because the laser is much more expensive. Lasers can cost anything from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000 for one that can be used for tooth cutting, compared to roughly $600 for a typical drill.
Is laser bacterial reduction covered by insurance?
Around 80% of adults suffer from periodontal disease and gingivitis. In our society, it has become an epidemic. Over the last few years, our understanding of this condition has vastly improved. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that affects the pockets around the teeth. Plaque/tartar removal and unhealthy tissue removal are done at your routine cleaning visit to treat the disease. However, we must also address the underlying infection that is the source of the problem. In light of this, we advise our patients to have laser bacterial reduction (LBR) performed during their cleaning appointments.
Here are three major reasons why we recommend LBR:
- Bacteria should be reduced or eliminated. During the cleansing process, most patients will experience minor bleeding. This permits bacteria found in all of our mouths to enter the bloodstream, where it can lodge in vulnerable sections of the body, such as a broken heart valve or artificial joint. These oral pathogens have now been linked to a variety of different disorders, including cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, low birth weight newborns, diabetes, and more, according to research. Anything we can do to prevent or eliminate these bacteremias is obviously beneficial to our patients.
- Assist in preventing infection from spreading from one area of your mouth to others. Bacterial reduction reduces the risk of picking up a bacterial infection in one area of your mouth and spreading it to others.
- Kill periodontal disease germs and infections before they destroy your teeth’s attachment or cause them to fall out.
What you need to know about LBR:
- The cost of laser bacterial reduction is $30, and insurance does not cover it. Regrettably, insurance coverage is frequently behind the curve in high-tech health care.
- The laser bacterial reduction procedure is painless and takes around 3-5 minutes to complete.
We strongly advise you to use this service as part of your regular cleaning regimen. Make sure to bring it up with our hygienists at your next cleaning session.
Is laser dental surgery painful?
To accomplish precise dental operations, a laser dental treatment uses a powerful beam of light energy. They are simple to use and allow dentists to cut or vaporize tissue on touch, remove soft tissue from gums, and reduce decay in teeth. Because the high-energy light beam cauterizes as it works, blood loss is minimized, reducing recovery durations and the need for over-the-counter pain relievers. Lasers also help to prevent bacterial infections by sterilizing the area and avoiding tissue damage.
If you have shivers just thinking about a knife approaching your mouth, laser dentistry is your new best friend. Traditional methods are far more invasive than this high-energy light technology. Many dental treatments are no longer performed with drills and scalpels, reducing the requirement for anaesthetic. Laser dentistry even makes biopsies and cavity fillings painless! To protect the surrounding tissues, all treatments are performed with pinpoint accuracy, and there are no stitches to deal with afterward. Additionally, lasers sanitize while they work, lowering the chance of unpleasant bacterial infections.
The Solea laser is the industry’s best-selling hard and soft tissue laser, and it’s the pinnacle of painless dentistry. If you’re a nervous dental patient, anesthesia may be used to help you get through a procedure, even if you don’t like the groggy or numb feeling you get afterwards. The Solea laser, on the other hand, allows most dental patients to avoid anesthetic altogether because they don’t require it! Solea is the first CO2laser to melt tissue and enamel from any angle with extraordinary speed and accuracy, thanks to a unique wavelength guided by advanced computer controls. You can now have several hard and soft tissue procedures in one relaxing dental visit, with no pain-inducing vibrations and no need for anesthesia.
How long does it take for lasered gums to heal?
All of Dr. G’s patients receive recovery instructions after surgery. You can expect to recuperate faster with laser gum treatment than with traditional gum surgery. The time it takes for your gums to heal is determined on the severity of your gum disease. It can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to fully heal, while deeper pockets can take months. A soft food diet is recommended for the first few days because your mouth will be sore and swollen. It’s possible that you’ll need a follow-up consultation to keep track of your gum health.
HOW MUCH DOES A LASER SYSTEM COST, AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET YOUR SOLUTION?
Low-powered lasers start at $100,000, while high-powered lasers start at roughly $500,000 the required laser is generally determined by the operation and application, rather than the laser cleaning quality. We are a custom manufacturer, therefore we won’t start working on your laser until we know exactly what you need. The laser system can take 20 weeks or longer to build, with less frequent builds lasting 28 weeks or longer.
WHAT ARE THE OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS?
A skilled service representative should perform a recommended specialized coolant cleanse every six months to guarantee optimal system cooling and algae restriction. The average cost per session is $4,500. Every year, the service tech would flush to remove algae development while performing the flush. The cost of operation, which includes electricity and cleaning supplies, is often less than $1 per hour.
IS LASER CLEANING SAFE?
Laser ablation is one of the safest ways to clear toxins, both for the environment and for your personnel, when done correctly. Only an optical hazard zone and safety glasses are required to operate your laser solution. You can use an enclosure to clean small applications in some instances. Safety glasses are not necessary when using an enclosure. We’ll give you a full laser safety training when you buy one of our laser solutions.
Will gums grow back after laser surgery?
Gum contouring with a laser is a long-term dental surgery. Excess gum tissue removed to realign the gum line and expose more of the teeth will not regrow.
For individuals who are self-conscious about the appearance of their gums and don’t want to worry about excess gum tissue returning in the future, this longevity is a comfort. You’ll only need one gum recontouring operation to see a significant and long-lasting change in your smile.
Concerns That Laser Gum Reshaping Can Treat
If you have a gummy smile, gum reshaping is a great alternative. A gummy grin is defined by gum tissue that hangs too low on the teeth, giving them a short appearance. Laser gum recontouring gives your teeth a more proportionate appearance and gives them an aesthetically attractive lift.
If your gums are uneven, this laser surgery is also appropriate. Your gums may be too high on some teeth and too low on others, giving you an uneven appearance. Gum reshaping might help you achieve a more uniform gum line.
There’s no need to put up with gum problems that make your smile look bad. Modern laser gum surgery is a painless and rapid way to improve the appearance of your gums. Because the procedure does not include cutting the gum tissue, as was the case in the past, there is virtually little downtime and the danger of infection is minimal.
Schedule a Laser Gum Contouring Consultation in Oakton
Dr. Michael Chung achieves spectacular outcomes using sophisticated laser dental technology. He is particularly qualified to repair your gum line troubles and enhance your smile as an LVI-trained dentist.
How long does laser teeth cleaning last?
Laser whitening can last up to 6 months (some people say up to a year), but as previously stated, everyone is different. The length of time it lasts is determined by tooth structure, dietary habits, and overall oral health. Dr. Brown recommends using at-home whitening trays to extend and maximize the effects of laser whitening. This will ensure that the shade is maintained for a longer amount of time.
How long does it take to fill a cavity with a laser?
As you can expect, everyone’s cavities are unique. Some may be large, little, dark, or light in appearance. This operation might take anywhere from ten minutes to an hour, depending on the size and location of the hollow.
When damage is modest to moderate, a filling is a popular dental operation that is typically performed to restore teeth that are chipped or decaying on one, two, or three surfaces.
While fillings are an excellent approach to repair little to moderate damage, more severe damage may necessitate the use of an onlay or a full-coverage crown.
What You Can Expect at South High Dental
For our fillings, SHD only uses the finest quality materials. You may rest assured that our board-certified doctors, hygienists, and assistants will treat you with respect as you receive a filling. We no longer use the black, old-fashioned fillings since they contain mercury. We employ white fillings that are mercury-free.
We’ll numb the teeth lightly so you may unwind and not feel anything. Following that, we will remove the decay and reconstruct the tooth using white filling material to make it as good as new.
When the filling is finished, your doctor and assistant will smooth and polish it to ensure a flawless fit.
If required, we’ll give you medicines to take by mouth to help you relax and stay calm during your treatment. Your tooth will be ready to go in only one session, and you will be back to normal, happy, and cavity-free in no time.