You’ve all heard of laser eye surgery, or laser hair removal, BUT have you ever heard of laser surgery in dentistry? Interesting, right?
Laser is used in dentistry for various reasons, and no, not to secretly practice becoming a spy.
Figure A
Image of a Spy [Digital image]. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from http://www.mykidsadventures.com/string-laser-maze/
Laser can be used to treat canker or cold sores, root canal infections, gum disease, and gum inflammation. Lasers also work to remove benign oral tumors, and regenerate damaged nerves of the mouth, (123 Dentist, par.3, 2017).
Why don’t dentists just use a drill, scissors or a scalpel?
The lasers in dentistry are so magnificent that they actually sterilize the gums while lasering, making infection less likely to occur, (123 Dentist, 2017). On top of that, lasers are less invasive than the drill, scissors or scalpel. Meaning, it causes less damage to the gums, and therefore, shortens the healing time. There is less of a chance that a client requires freezing (a needle), as much freezing, or even stitches with laser surgery, (123 Dentist, par.3, 2017). It’s like finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!
By altering the lasers wavelength, the laser is able to precisely cut through various kinds of tissues, such as: hard tissue (bone) and soft tissue (gums). This laser is great for cutting through small pieces of your teeth in order to detect cavities, treat tooth sensitivity and prepare teeth for dental fillings, (123 Dentist, par.10, 2017). The laser is also excellent for cutting through gums in order to reshape them and create a more pleasant smile, remove excess gum that forms around dentures, and deal with restricted tongue movement, (123 Dentist, par.12, 2017).
Figure B
Image of a Laser Used In Dentistry [Digital image]. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://harvardrddentalcare.com/services/laser-dentistry/
Frenectomy
Figure C: Tied-tongue Figure D: Released tongue
Image of Baby Frenectomy [Digital image]. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from http://www.westhamptondental.com/tongue-tie-laser-surgery/
Speaking of restricted tongue movement, there is a solution for that. A frenum is a small ridge or fold of skin that helps to anchor a semi-mobile body part, as shown in Figure C, (Oxford, 2019).
Did you know that there are 7 frenums in the mouth?
Here is where they’re located:
Labial frenum: Located under the top and bottom lip
Lingual frenum: Located under the tongue
Buccal frenum: Located under the cheeks
Everyone has frenums, but, if any of these frenums are extended, and restrict movement of either the lip, tongue, or cheek, they are considered to be “tied”.
Worried if you or your child have a tongue-tie?
Some signs and symptoms of a tongue-tie include:
- Difficulty lifting the tongue to the upper teeth or moving the tongue from side to side, (Mayo Clinic, par. 4, 2015).
- Trouble sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth, (Mayo Clinic, par. 4, 2015).
- A tongue that appears notched or heart shaped when stuck out, (Mayo Clinic, par. 4, 2015).
Ties of the mouth can lead to:
Breast-Feeding Problems: Breast-feeding requires a baby to keep his or her tongue over the lower gum while sucking. If unable to move the tongue or keep it in the right position, the baby might chew instead of suck on the nipple. This can cause significant nipple pain and interfere with a baby’s ability to get breast milk. Ultimately, poor breast-feeding can lead to inadequate nutrition and failure to thrive, (Mayo Clinic, par. 8, 2015).
Speech Difficulties: Tongue-tie can interfere with the ability to make certain sounds — such as “t,” “d,” “z,” “s,” “th,” “r” and “l”, (Mayo Clinic, par. 8, 2015).
Poor Oral Hygiene: For an older child or adult, tongue-tie can make it difficult to sweep food debris from the teeth. This can contribute to tooth decay and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Tongue-tie can also lead to the formation of a gap or space between the two bottom front teeth, (Mayo Clinic, par. 8, 2015).
Challenges with Other Oral Activities: Tongue-tie can interfere with activities such as licking an ice cream cone, licking the lips, kissing or playing a wind instrument, (Mayo Clinic, par. 8, 2015).
There are many ways that a dental surgeon can release these ties in the mouth, and that is by either using a scalpel, scissors or laser.
What is the best option for treatment?
Laser Surgery! The laser sterilizes the soft tissue while lasering minimizing the potential for any infection. Using a laser instead of scissors or a scalpel, allows for minimal to no bleeding or discomfort for the individual.
Wondering how a labial (lip) frenectomy looks?
Here’s a link:
References
Images:
Christensen, E. (n.d.). Image of Baby Frenectomy [Digital image]. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from http://www.westhamptondental.com/tongue-tie-laser-surgery/
Dental, H. (2019). Image of a Laser Used In Dentistry [Digital image]. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://harvardrddentalcare.com/services/laser-dentistry/
Eastick, E. (2019). Image of a Spy [Digital image]. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from http://www.mykidsadventures.com/string-laser-maze/
Information:
123 Dentist. (2017, August 11). Laser Dentistry: What is Laser Dentistry? Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.123dentist.com/laser-dentistry-what-is-laser-dentistry/
Oxford. (2019). Frenulum | Definition of frenulum in US English by Oxford Dictionaries. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/frenulum
Mayo Clinic. (2018, May 15). Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia). Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tongue-tie/symptoms-causes/syc-20378452
Pearls Of Wisdom 