WHY DO LASER TREATMENT IN DENTISTRY?

© Sergey Khamidulin (fotolia.com)

• For enhanced wound healing and to avoid obstructions in healing
  as well as to reduce pain after a surgery
• To reduce post surgery pain
• During passage of anesthesia after a surgery
  to support revascularisation
• Used for PDT (Photodynamic Therapy)
  For germ reduction in case of paradontal disorders (with methylene blue)

The laser treatment arrests infection in all chronic and acute processes in areas like the mouth, throat, sinus cavities and the nose. Mucous membranes symptoms such as herpes labialis recede and occur less often. Use of this therapy is highly recommended after extractions due to its power to arrest infection, as well as styptic and pain relieving properties.

With laser treatment sometimes even local medication such as antibiotics or analgesics can be reduced.

Most important indications (in alphabetic order), their treatment and therapy time (in cooperation with Dr. Bodo Marady, Vienna):

• ALVEOLITIS:
  Laser therapy directly after extraction helps to prevent. If alveolitis is very painful, do not hesitate to use 4 - 5J
• ALVEOLUS, DRY:
  2 - 3 times with 1 - 1,5 J/cm², ensures quick healing
• ANAESTHETICS:
  Some patients are difficult to anaesthesise. After treatment with 2 - 3J over the apex, circulation is increased and the anaestetic will be absorbed more quickly.
  If a vessel is hit with the needle, 6 - 8 J (intra- and extraorally) can reduce oedema and pain in addition with the usual treatment (pressure and cooling).
  Intraligamental anaesthesia can lead to postoperative pain if the injection is given too rapidly. 3 - 4 J under the papilla reduces or eliminates the pain.
• ANASTHESIA, passing:
  from parts of the lips after frontal teeth sections: operation area local with 1 - 1,5 J/cm², disappears quickly
• APHTS:
  local with 0,5 J/cm², healing same as without treatment but immediate pain relief
• COMPLAINTS in movement of jaw:
  temporary effect only
• DECUBITUS (due to artificial limb):
  local or on points with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• DENTITIO DIFFICILIS:
  conventional treatment is supplemented with local laser therapy over the operculum, buccal and lingual bony wall
• ENDODONTICS:
  Pain reaction after over-instrumentation in root canals can be avoided when treating both vital and non-vital pulp. 2J over the apex eases the symptoms in most cases, administered prophylactic.
• EXTRACTIONS:
  before and after the extraction with 1 J/cm²; faster coagulation, better quality of coagula in the alveolus in case of problematic coagulation, minimum post surgery pain or sometimes no pain at all.
  After using elevators during extraction neighbouring teeth become sensitive; 1 - 2 J over the apex reduces this discomfort.
  After removing impacted wisdom teeth: 2 - 3 J directly on the maxillary joint!
• GINGIVITIS:
  local or on points with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• HERPES LABIALIS:
  local with 1 - 1,5 J/cm², after radiation of the affected area in case of first symptoms such as itching, tension, there are mostly no blisters
• HYPEREMIA of pulps:
  twice daily with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• HYPERSENSITIVE DENTINE:
  Laser therapy is superior for cases with more profound pulpitis which do not respond well to recent desensitive agents. Treat the tooth neck until the patient feels a distinct improvement (check with the air syringe). Dosis and number of sessions needed depend on seriousness of the hypersensitivity.
• IMPLANTOLOGY:
  reduces postoperative swelling and pain and shortens the healing period
• INFECTIONS, all types:
  local 1 J/cm²
• IRRITATIONS:
  local with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• NECROSIS:
  local with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• NERVE PAIN, NERVE RUPTURE:
  local with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• ORTHODONTICS:
  After insertion of any orthodontic apparatus, a few days of noticable pain follow in the area subjected to stress. Lasers used directly after treatment delay the onset of pain and reduce its intensity.
  Laser therapy will also increase the speed of tooth movement and the bone remodelling!
  Use 1 J per tooth.
• PAINFUL INJURIES:
  treatment of the point with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• PARODONTOPATHY:
  only supportive therapy for urgent local therapy - pain relief, fast recovery from bleeding, tightening of teeth and gums
• PERIAPICAL OSTITIS:
  apex region with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY (with methylene blue):
  2 - 4 J/cm²
• POST SURGERY COMPLAINTS:
  just before and after the surgery and on the day afterwards with 1 - 1,5 J/cm², mostly 2 - 3 hours after the first radiation to get full effect
• PULPITIS:
  laser treatment is useful only in the beginning stage, with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• REVASCULARISATION:
  supporting function: local with 1 - 1,5 J/cm²
• SCARS:
  individual radiation with 1,5 - 2 J/cm²
• STOMATITIS:
  local with 1 - 1,5 J/cm² or on points with each 0,5 J

WHICH SOFT - LASER FOR OPTIMAL THERAPY?

You will require a Silberbauer-Laser CL plus.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Treatment 1 x daily in case of acute complaints, for good results in the beginning even more than once daily, if possible, immediately after operations, in case of chronic ailments 2 - 3 times per week treatment is recommended.

Note: depending on the laser 1 Joule corresponds with treatment time in seconds:

So: the more power of the laser, the shorter is your treatment time!