Do you or anyone you know avoid
the dentist at all costs? This dental anxiety and fear is so common it has even
been given a name.
Dentophobia: the fear of dentists.
The Waterlase is a revolutionary
device created by BIOLASE® Technology, Inc. that is used instead of the dental
drill. The laser uses hydrokinetic technology to cut teeth. The Waterlase
produces a laser beam that energizes an exact stream of water that, when
directed at a tooth, removes enamel, dentin, tooth decay and cavities.
This gentle laser does not just
replace the shrill hum of the dentist's drill; it also has the added benefit of
eliminating the needle! That's right; the Waterlase is so gentle anesthesia is
often not required when performing dental treatment.
Laser dentistry does not
completely eliminate the need for anesthesia; each case is treated on an
individual basis. The type of treatment is factored in, as well as the
patient's threshold for pain. The laser itself "causes a temporarily
analgesic effect on the tooth." In other words, it's self-numbing!
The Waterlase was approved by the
Federal Drug Administration for use on hard tissue (teeth) in 1998. A mere two
years later, the device received approval for use on all oral tissue, including
gum disease treatment!
The heat from the laser actually stops bleeding gums and
aids in blood clotting, thereby reducing pain and healing time.
What Can
Waterlase Do?
The dentophobe has the complete
package with the Waterlase.
- No drill/reduces pain =
elevated ease
- No unnerving whine from the
drill motor, instead a gentle pop-pop-popcorn sound as the laser takes the
offending tissue to task
- No needles in many cases -- the
treated water causes a slight numbness, rendering anesthesia defunct
- Last but not least, the
Waterlase is considered a safer technique than the drill
How can it be safer, you ask?
Well, the drill is a traumatic instrument. It heats up and causes tiny
micro-fissures in the area surrounding the tooth decay. As your dentist drills
away the dental cavity, the vibrations can cause irreparable harm to the healthy
tooth around the cavity. Those tiny fractures can turn into root canals years
down the line.
As anyone who has experienced a
root canal can testify, they're just not pretty. Enter the illustrious --near
magical -- Waterlase. In some cases, it works for root canals, too!
The Waterlase is the next
evolutionary stage in the practice of dentistry. In 20 years, our children
won't know to be afraid of the dentists' drill because it will be a relic of a
long-forgotten era. After more than 125 years, it is past time to retire the
electric dental drill. Hello Waterlase, goodbye dastardly drill!!
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