Among all of the new technologies that have advanced the field of dentistry in the last few decades, laser dentistry ranks among the top in terms of its versatility and benefits for patients and dentists alike. At Crestwood Dental Group, we have equipped our practice with Waterlase Dentistry™ to enhance the care and comfort of a wide variety of dental procedures for our patients in the St. Louis, MO area and surrounding communities.
There are several types of dental lasers available for use. Some lasers are designed to specifically treat hard tissues (such as teeth and bone) and others are designed for soft tissues (such as gums). At Crestwood Dental Group, we have invested in and used Waterlase Dentistry™ for the last several years, which enables us to treat both types of tissues safely and effectively. What makes the Waterlase device unique is that it uses a patented technology called Hydrophotonics™ that combines laser energy – a focused beam of concentrated light – with a stream of water and air. When the laser hits the tooth or soft tissue surface, the water molecules become energetic, allowing the laser to make precise and comfortable cuts while the water maintains hydration in the tissue to avoid overheating and discomfort.
To treat your mouth with Waterlase, Dr. Maxwell first prepares the area and then directs the device onto the treatment area to perform procedures such as:
At Crestwood Dental Group, we are also equipped with diode laser technology for a variety of soft tissue treatments.
This small, portable laser system can be used in place of scalpels in treatments, cauterizes nerve endings to reduce pain, and sterilizes as it treats. The diode laser can be used in procedures such as:
Dental laser therapy offers many benefits over more traditional methods of performing dental procedures, such as scalpels and drills. Patients and Dr Maxwell love laser dentistry because it: