No one likes hearing that they need root canal therapy. However, today’s revolutionary technology allows us to perform less invasive, more comfortable treatments than ever before.
If you have an infected tooth, Dr. Byron W. Wall can repair it using advanced laser dentistry at our Albuquerque, NM dental practice. Our Biolase® WaterLase device can be utilized to perform laser root canal therapy, which replaces old-fashioned methods for a more comfortable, more accurate treatment.
How Does Laser Root Canal Therapy Work?
Laser root canal is nearly identical to its traditional counterpart in terms of the end goal. The primary objective is to remove all necrotic tissue, including nerves and blood vessels, from the inside of the infected tooth.
While traditional surgery is performed using tiny endodontic drills, laser root canal therapy is completed using a dental laser. Our WaterLase uses a combination of laser energy and water to remove damaged tissue with precision and accuracy.
Who Is a Candidate for Laser Root Canal Therapy?
Like traditional root canal therapy, laser-assisted endodontic surgery is necessary for individuals with an infected tooth or dental abscess. This treatment is commonly used to save a tooth from extraction. Therefore, there must be sufficient tooth structure remaining in order to qualify for this procedure.
During an initial consultation at our practice, Dr. Wall will let you know if laser root canal therapy is right for you.
Laser Root Canal Treatment Process
To begin the procedure, Dr. Wall will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth and gum tissue. Once you are comfortable, the WaterLase will be used to create an access hole in the tooth.
Next, the infected tissues will be removed, and the surfaces will be debrided with the WaterLase. Then, Dr. Wall will fill the root canals with gutta percha, a rubber-like material. Finally, the tooth will be sealed with a dental filling, and in many cases, a dental crown.
Benefits of Laser Root Canal Therapy
Compared to conventional endodontic surgery, laser root canal therapy offers a wide array of benefits. For example, laser-assisted surgery is:
- Less invasive: Because our WaterLaser operates with unparalleled precision, more of your healthy tooth structure can remain intact following treatment.
- Less noisy: Unlike dental drills that create a loud whirring noise, our dental laser runs quietly. This reduces patient anxiety, helping those undergoing treatment relax while they are under our care.
- Anti-bacterial: When traditional root canal therapy is performed, bacteria can still hide in tiny holes, or tubules, within the dentin. With laser-assisted surgery, the laser energy penetrates these areas and sterilizes them, effectively eliminating all sources of bacteria.
- Safe and effective: Laser root canal therapy has been proven safe and effective. In fact, our WaterLase is approved by the FDA.
- More predictable: Occasionally during traditional endodontic surgery, a tiny drill may become stuck in the canal. With laser-assisted surgery, there is zero chance of this occurring.
- More comfortable: Because laser dentistry is less invasive, it also limits the amount of bleeding during the procedure. As a result, patients generally experience less post-operative bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. In fact, many of our patients do not even require pain medication following their treatment.
Learn More about Laser Dentistry
If you are in need of root canal therapy, consider what laser-assisted endodontic surgery can do for you. To learn more about this procedure, or to schedule a consultation, call us at (505) 355-0314 or contact us online anytime.