Uneasy about Seeing a Dentist? Here’s How Laser Dentistry in Phillipsburg Can Help

For many people, seeing the dentist is an exercise in anxiety. Not only do they find sitting in the dentist chair uncomfortable, they’re intimidated by the sights and sounds of dental drills and other commonly used tools. Laser therapy in Phillipsburg offers a gentle, comfortable alternative that can perform many dental procedures faster, easier and more effectively than other methods.

Dental Phobia: a Widespread Issue

Studies show that as many as one in five Americans put off dental treatment due to worries or fears about the experience. Their concerns are easy to understand. Like any medical environment, the dentist’s office is vastly different from the typical home or work setting. There are bright lights, unusual instruments and walls adorned with medical charts.

Dentists and staff members do their best to minimize their patient’s unease, of course. They exercise great care and compassion and perform their duties with the utmost professionalism. Nonetheless, many people would still rather do almost anything then see their dentist. Not only is this psychologically unpleasant, it can set the person up for long-term health problems.

One key factor in dental phobia are the noises associated with traditional dentistry tools, especially the drill. This is why laser therapy is such an effective option. Dental lasers make almost no sound at all. They accomplish their therapeutic benefits by using focused beams of light under the dentist’s skilled direction. Here are some of the common procedures that laser dentistry can perform:

• Removing infected or decayed material from a cavity in preparation for either a filling or root canal.
• Etching tooth enamel to allow the placement of veneers.
• Removing infected or excess gum tissue while sealing the treated area to prevent infection.
• Excising a small piece of tissue for biopsy.
• Treating cold sores and canker sores.
• Whitening the teeth without the need for scraping devices.
• Helping to shape a tooth for the placement of crowns, bridges or other appliances.

Dental lasers cannot yet fully replace other, more traditional tools. However, they can serve an important supplemental role in many procedures. Their efficient design and quiet operation help patients to enjoy a better experience during appointments.

Are Dental Lasers Safe?

The answer to this question is a firm “yes.” It’s a mistake to confuse the lasers you may see in science fiction films with the real-life version. The energy levels used in medical devices are much too low to enable them to serve as weapons of war.

The dentist will have you wear protective lenses during the procedure. These are similar in appearance and function to sunglasses. This is done out of an abundance of caution in order to avoid even a remote risk of harm to your eyesight. Your dentist in Phillipsburg will explain the procedure ahead of time and answer any questions you may have.

Nowadays there’s no reason for anyone to allow fears or anxiety to rob them of the benefits of modern dental therapy. Make an appointment to see your dental professional soon. You have nothing to lose and a world of health benefits to gain.

About the Author

Dr. Nélida Garcia-DeMartino has been practicing dentistry for 27 years. She’s an honors graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University. You can reach her office online or by calling (908) 859-5260.