Benefits of laser dentistry for kids at Island Childrens Dentistry
By DR. GEMA ISLAND – Island Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics
Laser dentistry can be less painful than using traditional drills and other dental tools, which may reduce the need for anesthesia. This is especially good for small children and infants who aren’t able to safely handle higher amounts of anesthesia. However, while laser dentistry may be able to reduce the amount of anesthesia needed, it does not completely eliminate the need for painkillers.
BIOPSY AND REMOVAL OF GUM LESIONS
If your child has a lesion in their mouth, we can use a laser to carefully remove a small piece of the tissue for testing. While most mouth lesions are benign, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If the lesion is causing your child pain or discomfort, we can excise it with dental laser treatment.
Pediatric dental lasers can also be used to remove mouth lesions. When a dentist uses a laser, it minimizes the amount of bleeding and swelling by cauterizing the wound as it cuts. Not only does this help pediatric patients recover faster, but it also can be considered less painful than traditional methods of gum lesion removal.
TONGUE TIE TREATMENT
If you’ve noticed that your infant has a band of tissue connecting the tip of their tongue to the floor of their mouth, you will want to consult with a pediatric dental professional as soon as possible. You may also be referred by a lactation consultant if you have been having problems breastfeeding as a result of your child’s tongue-tie. Tongue-tie left untreated can interfere with breastfeeding, eating solid foods, and normal speech development. To avoid the consequences of untreated tongue-tie, we recommend you schedule an appointment at Island Childrens Dentistry.
CAVITY TREATMENT
For children who are afraid of dentist drills, you may want to consider laser cavity treatment. Laser treatment doesn’t create the same disconcerting drilling sound and can help save more of the healthy tooth during cavity treatment than a traditional dental drill. Depending on the type and placement of the cavity, it may still be necessary to use a dental drill with the laser.
To determine if laser dentistry is the right dental treatment plan for your child, be sure to consult with an experienced pediatric dentist. Dr. Island and her team of specialists are happy to guide you to make the right oral health decision.
