What Is Laser Dentistry?

Dental lasers have been in clinical use for decades, but they are frequently marketed in ways that overstate what they do. Here is a straightforward account.

How they work

A dental laser delivers concentrated light energy at a specific wavelength. Different wavelengths are absorbed by different tissues, which is why soft tissue lasers and hard tissue lasers are not interchangeable instruments.

Where lasers genuinely help

Soft tissue work is where the advantage is clearest. Reshaping gum contours, removing small growths, and treating certain areas of gum infection can often be done with less bleeding, because the laser seals small blood vessels as it works. Sutures are sometimes unnecessary. Some patients report an easier recovery.

Lasers are also used in specific periodontal procedures to decontaminate pockets alongside conventional scaling.

Where the claims outrun the evidence

Lasers do not replace the drill for most restorative work. They do not make fillings last longer. They are not a cure for gum disease on their own, and any clinic presenting laser treatment as an alternative to proper cleaning and maintenance is overselling it.

“Painless” is a claim worth treating carefully. Some laser procedures need less anaesthetic. Many still need it.

What to ask

If laser treatment is proposed, ask what it is being used for, what the conventional alternative would be, and what difference the laser makes to your specific case. A clear answer is a good sign. A vague appeal to advanced technology is not.

At Green Tower we use lasers where they offer a real benefit for the procedure at hand, and conventional techniques where those serve you better.