With laser dentistry the screech of the drill, painful injections and general discomfort can be a thing of the past.

Dental lasers can be used for everything from dental surgery to aesthetic tooth bleaching. Learn more about how the benefits of dental laser therapy can make your visit to the dentist more pleasant.

Aphthae (or canker sores) are ulcers that are typically round or oval and occur on the inside of the lips or underneath the tongue. They are very common and affect between 30-60% of the population.

The cause of aphthae is still uncertain but hereditary factors are certainly significant with approximately 40% of people who get them having a family history of aphthae.

The main causes of aphthous ulcers include: emotional stress and lack of sleep, local injury by an accidental self-inflicted bite, nutritional/vitamin deficiencies (especially iron and folic acid, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 and vitamin C), the menstrual cycle and certain foods (including coffee and chocolate). Aphthae can be divided into three types of ulcers.

Recurrent minor ulcers amount for over 80% of aphthae cases. These are usually between 1-10mm in diameter and heal spontaneously within 7-10 days. Recurrent major ulcers can be in excess of 10mm in diameter and can take months to heal. When they do the usually leave a scar behind. Herpetiform ulcers are multiple, clustered 'pin-prick' ulcers that usually occur on the tongue and can take up to a month to heal. Usually numbering between 2-10 they can number as many as 100.

In all cases, but especially with recurrent major ulcers, the sores can be painful, particularly if irritated by certain foods.

The herpes simplex virus is very common and can cause painful blisters and sores almost anywhere on a persons body. However infections are most common around the mouth and the genitals. Consequently herpes can be divided into two types: type 1 and type 2.

Herpes Simplex Type-1 (Herpes Labials, also known as Cold Sores) : It is estimated that between 60% and as many as 95% of people are infected with HSV-1 although only between 10-30% of these will develop recurrent oral-facial herpes infections. Most people catch the virus during childhood from close contact with family or friends who carry the virus. The virus can be transmitted by kissing, or by using glasses, cups and eating utensils or towels used by an infected person.

The main symptom of HSV-1 infection is the outbreak of blisters filled with fluid around the lips or nose. These can be painful and itchy. Other flu-like symptoms may accompany these outbreaks including fever, headache, muscles aches, and tiredness.

Usually the blisters will disappear by themselves within ten days but the virus will remain dormant in the body among clusters of nerve cells until the next outbreak is triggered. Common triggers include: illness, stress, fatigue and menstruation.

Many people are able to tell when an outbreak is going to occur because they notice a tingling sensation (known as the prodome stage). It is also at this stage when a person is particularly contagious. There is no cure for aphthae. Treatment consists of different medications to reduce the pain and discomfort they cause and to promote/accelerate the healing process. Such medications include: local anaesthetic gels to reduce the pain, antibacterial mouthwashes, protective pastes and in extreme cases sufferers may be prescribed topical corticosteroids.

There is also no cure for herpes simplex. However, traditional treatment involves the use of anti-viral drugs such as Acylovir. Acylovir has been shown to help speed up the infection cycle hastening the end of the outbreak. If used in the prodome stage it can also prevent the development of blisters and it has also been shown to reduce the number of future outbreaks.

Studies have shown that patients who have their aphthae treated by laser therapy have immediate pain relief, faster healing and fewer recurrences in the future.

The application of laser energy to a person with HSV-1 equally has significant effects. If applied during the prodormal period nearly all patients will heal within the first 48 hours. In later stages (blistering or crust) over 90% will be cured within 48 hours and all by 4 days. In most cases between 2-4 treatments with laser energy will be required. In addition studies reveal that patients that have laser therapy for the treatment of herpes also see fewer recurrences when compared to conventional treatments.

Dental cavities are an infection caused by a combination of carbohydrate-containing foods and bacteria that live in the mouth. The bacteria are contained in a film that continuously forms on the teeth. This film is known as plaque. When specific bacteria in the mouth combine with carbohydrates they produce acid, which attacks the teeth and begins to dissolve the enamel on the surface of the tooth. This most commonly occurs in the pits and fissures of the teeth since food becomes trapped here and often can be difficult to remove.

Eventually the acid will progress through the enamel into the dentine below creating a cavity. If such cavities are not treated they can continue to progress until the infection reaches the underlying pulp by which stage root canal treatment may be the only solution to preventing tooth loss altogether.

Treatment of cavities consists of two stages. The first is the removal of the decayed part of the tooth and the elimination of the bacteria. The second is the reconstruction of the tooth with a filling material. Traditionally this was silver amalgam but because of potential health risks composite fillings are now becoming more and more common. Conventional treatment of the decayed tooth uses the mechanical drill to cut away the decayed section and often necessitates the use of local anesthestic. The process is often quite time consuming, while the sound of the drill often invokes anxiety and fear in many patients.

With the erbium:YAG range of lasers conventional drilling has been transformed. The laser works by taking advantage of the high composition of water in the enamel and dentine to create micro-explosions that eject the decayed material. The procedure is painless and in most cases requires no anesthetic. Moreover the laser drill does not even come into physical contact with the tooth itself.

The clinical advantages of lasers for cavity preparation are that they are capable of cutting more precisely, allowing more of the healthy tooth to remain. Usually the procedure is much quicker than conventional mechanical drilling. In addition the majority of the time there is no post-operative pain reported and the healing time is quicker than with conventional techniques.

The laser combines an erbium:YAG laser with a Nd:YAG laser for soft tissue proceedures and is the perfect choice for cavity preparation.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums, bone and ligaments that support the teeth and anchor them to the jaw. Bacteria in the mouth form a film of dental plaque that sticks to the teeth (tartar). This bacteria produces toxins, which stimulate the immune system to fight the infection. If the disease process is not stopped the supporting structures of the teeth will continue to be destroyed eventually leading to tooth loss.

Over half of all people over 18 have some form of periodontitis and by 35, 75% of people are affected.

Is classified as being mild, moderate or severe depending on the amount of destruction to the gums, ligaments and bones that surround the teeth. As the disease progresses gums separate from the teeth and form gum pockets. These pockets get deeper as more underlying bone is destroyed. Gum pockets will collect increasing amounts of bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar) as the disease process worsens. Teeth will loosen, as more bone is lost. Factors that can cause periodontitis include smoking, crowded teeth, the grinding of teeth, hormonal change (including pregnancy, menstruation and menopause), diet, blood diseases, diabetes, and some medications.

Where periodontitis is mild the most effective treatment is for proper methods of daily plaque removal and oral hygiene. These include: brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth once a day (using either dental floss or an interdental cleaner), eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and oral examinations. (Note: tobacco use has been implicated in approximately 50% of cases of periodontal disease).

Where periodontitis is mild to moderate, scaling and root planing are required to clean the tooth and remove the plaque and tartar (calculus deposits) from the gum pockets. Scaling is the process by which plaque and tartar are removed from the tooth surface (above and below the gum line) using special hand instruments, which are designed for the purpose. Scaling is usually performed without the use of local anesthetic.

Plaque and tartar deposits on the root of the tooth make the surface rough and irregular, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Root planing effectively smooths out the root surface and is usually carried alongside scaling. Once completed the gum tissue shrinks and tightens around the teeth because there is no longer anything irritating it. Most people only require one treatment to clear the teeth but in some cases two or three visits may be required. Sometimes a local anaesthetic may be applied to numb the area.

Instead of special conventional hand tools for scaling and planing some dentists use ultrasonic equipment, which uses vibration to dislodge the hard deposits and stains present on the tooth surface.

In severe cases of periodontitis it becomes necessary to remove the diseased gum pockets and bone destruction with surgery. To do this a flap is created in the gum, which is then retracted so that the underlying root and bone deformities are exposed allowing their removal. The gum tissue is then stitched and after healing the gum seals tightly around the tooth. This procedure requires local anesthesia and will result in bleeding. The gum will be painful for several days until it heals and occasionally antibiotics will be prescribed because of the risk of infection.

The main advantage of the laser for the treatment of gum disease is that procedures are largely pain-free, removing the need for local anesthetic. They are more precise for surgical treatments and have a coagulating effect which means that they can be used to reduce or prevent bleeding altogether. In addition when used for the treatment of gum disease (including periodontic pockets) the laser energy effectively destroys the bacterial microorganisms that release the toxins responsible for periodontitis. Finally healing time and postoperative discomfort (swelling and scarring) are significantly reduced compared to traditional methods.

The laser combines an Er:YAG laser with a Nd:YAG laser for soft tissue procedures and is the perfect choice for the treatment of gum disease.

A tooth is comprised of three basic structures and two parts. The structures consist of enamel - the hard surface structure of the tooth, dentine - a yellowish tissue that is harder than bone but softer than enamel, and the pulp. The pulp is the softest part of the tooth and contains all the blood vessels and nerves essential to keep teeth healthy. (Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that specialises in the treatment of the pulp). The two parts of the tooth are the crown, which is that part of the tooth above the gum line, and the root, which is the part below it.

A deep cavity or fracture in a tooth can allow bacteria to seep through the enamel and dentin into the pulp. This bacteria can then cause an infection of the pulp and the nerves inside the tooth. The tooth may become abscessed causing pain and sensitivity. If this is not treated the infection will spread, the bone around the tooth will begin to break down and the tooth could die and fall out.

Traditionally a mechanical drill is used to remove the decay and create an opening through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber. A special instrument is then placed inside the tooth to remove all of the infection and remove the pulp material before special liquids are flushed through the canals to clean out the bacteria and create a sterile space. Special files are used to enlarge and shape the canals which are then filled and sealed with cones made of a rubber-like material called gutta perch. More of the rubber is used to then fill the rest of the pulp chamber.

Temporary cement is then used to fill the hole in the crown while a permanent restoration is made by the dentist from porcelain or gold. This restoration is called a crown and it necessary because the removal of the tooth's nerve and blood supply will dry it out and make it brittle. Without the crown the tooth could fracture or splinter.

One of the main advantages of using a laser for root canal work is treatment time is much faster. In particular because the heat from the laser effectively cleans and sterilises the canals from bacteria fewer follow-up visits are required than with conventional treatments.

The method of treatment is almost the same as with a conventional drill except that once a hole has been made in the crown, longer tips are placed on the laser head in order to allow the dentist to reach down into the roots in order to remove all of the pulp material.

On completion a temporary and then permanent crown are likewise prepared. An additional advantage of laser treatment is that recovery time is much faster.

The laser is the perfect tool for fast, effective treatment of root canal infections.

Studies show that about 40% of the population (in the areas studied) suffers from sensitive teeth. Usually tooth sensitivity (dentin hypersensitivity) manifests itself as temporary tooth discomfort or pain after eating cold food, drinking cold liquids, or breathing cold air.

The most common cause of sensitive teeth is when the gums which protect the teeth recede. When this happens the underlying tooth roots are exposed. These roots contain small pores (tubules) which lead directly to the nerve of the tooth. As a result pain, pressure, and hot and cold stimuli can travel down the tubules triggering the nerve.

Poor oral hygiene. This leads to a build-up of plaque around the teeth and gums which in time hardens into tartar. Bacteria in the tartar are responsible for the gingivitis and periodontal disease that causes gum recession.
- Incorrect brushing of the teeth. A surprising number of people brush their teeth with too much pressure. Over time this brushing removes gum tissue exposing the tubules.

There are a variety of toothpastes for sensitive teeth available on the market containing potassium nitrate which can help reduce tooth sensitivity. In addition there are other toothpastes that contain strontium chloride which stimulate the minerals in your saliva to crystallise and cover the pores on the exposed roots preventing cold stimuli from antagonising the tooth nerve.

Other treatments include flouride mouthwashes and oxalate compounds which when rubbed on the root reduces its sensitivity.

Clinical studies have shown that treatment of sensitive teeth with laser therapy has been effective in reducing tooth sensitivity. When applied to the dentine and pulp the laser surpresses the potential of the nerve fibres by eliminating the tublules.

While healthy gums are an important part of a person's appearance sometimes extra gum can grow over the surface of the tooth shortening its visible length until it can produce an irregular smile that some people can find embarrassing and a blow to their self-confidence.

A gingivectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a small amount of gum tissue around a tooth or teeth. While a gingivectomy is often performed to improve the visible appearance of a smile sometimes it may be needed to remove a decayed tooth, or to allow a filling to be fitted.

Like Gingivoplasty a gingivectomy is a relatively simple surgical procedure. A small incision is made by the dental practitioner and the excess gum tissue is removed using a dental tool.

Frenectomy, a frenum is a fold of tissue that connects the movable lip or cheek to the gum. Sometimes because of its position the frenum interferes with the normal alignment of teeth or pulls the gum away. In such cases surgery may be required to remove this tissue. This is known as a frenectomy. If untreated a frenum may cause gum recession to occur. Orthodontic patients often have this procedure done to assist with closing a front tooth gap. A lingual frenectomy is the removal of the frenum under the tongue. This is often recommended for patients who because they have a short, tight lingual frenum have difficulty making some sounds (tongue-tied).

Unlike conventional techniques, using a dental laser for soft tissue surgery means that the procedures can all be done without the need for a scalpel or sutures. Because of the cauterising effect of laser energy the procedure is bloodless and pain-free. In addition treatment times and post-operative healing are much quicker.

Because includes a Nd:YAG laser (as well as an erbium laser) it is the prefect tool for all soft-tissue treatments.