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Laser Dentistry in Milwaukee, WI

What is CO2 LightScalpel Laser?

The CO2 LightScalpel Laser is a device that uses a highly focused CO2 laser beam to vaporize, cleanly and precisely, while sealing blood vessels at the same time. It is the best laser on the market for a combination of soft tissue uses.

This laser device results in less swelling, less pain, better healing for the treatment of several conditions, including:

  • Implant Infections
  • Melanin Pigment Removal
  • Treatment Of Aphthous Ulcers
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How does laser surgery work?

Soft tissue lasers like the LightScalpel CO2 are used to remove lesions and fibromas inside the mouth, treat gum disease (this is called gingivectomy), and place implants, among other procedures. This is an alternative to traditional surgery, where a scalpel or scissors can bruise or crush tissue. We use the LightScalpel CO2’s beam of light to evaporate any infected tissues and allow the tooth and gums to naturally re-attach.

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How Long Do the Results from Laser Dentistry Last?

When our dentists remove soft tissue with our CO2 LightScalpel Laser, the tissue is vaporized. It is gone for good, and that’s a good thing when used for problems such as diseased gum tissue. And the LightScalpel Laser has the added advantage of closing the blood vessels as it removes the diseased gum tissue. This adds a level of disinfection unachievable without the laser.

Bottom line? These are permanent treatments that deliver permanent results with Dr. Rick Winter.

What Conditions Can Be Addressed with Laser Dentistry?

We use our CO2 LightScalpel Laser for various soft tissue treatments:

  • Periodontal disease — We use lasers for a variety of areas in the treatment of gum disease: root planing and scaling, the removal of bacteria and infected tissue from periodontal pockets, surgical reshaping of the gums to reduce the size and depth of periodontal pockets, and to enhance reattachment of the gums to the tooth root.

    When cleaning periodontal pockets, the laser vaporizes infected tissue, disinfecting the area and activating tissue re-growth at the same time. The laser energy penetrates the soft tissues while instantly sealing blood vessels and nerve endings. This benefit makes for much less, if any, postoperative pain with some of these treatments. It also encourages faster healing than traditional methods.

  • Gum recontouring — We use lasers to address gummy smiles, to create a more symmetrical gum line, and to prepare the gum line when putting a crown on a tooth.
  • Implant placement — Instead of making an incision in the gum tissue with a scalpel, we use the laser to open the soft tissue to expose the jawbone beneath. This leads to less patient discomfort and faster healing after we place the implant base.
  • Other soft tissue uses — From exposing unerupted permanent teeth in children to freeing the tongue in a frenectomy, from removing tissue from partially exposed wisdom teeth to treating canker sores and other lesions, we keep expanding our soft-tissue laser uses.

What Are the Benefits of Laser Dentistry?

At Hampton Dental Associates, we love the benefits laser dentistry provides both for our procedures and for patient comfort. These are the advantages of using lasers for soft tissue work:

  • Procedures often don’t require sutures, as the laser energy instantly closes the incision.
  • Certain procedures don’t require anesthesia.
  • Minimizes bleeding; the laser energy instantly closes blood vessels.
  • The laser instantly kills bacteria, sterilizing the treatment area.
  • Damage to surrounding tissue is minimized.
  • Wounds heal faster.
  • Tissues regenerate more efficiently.

How Many Laser Dentistry Sessions Will I Need?

Each patient’s situation is unique. In some cases of gingivitis, we may only need to use our LightScalpel Laser once for root planing and scaling. Other times, we may use it to address diseased periodontal pockets, but we may need to see you again if the bacteria rebuild. These typically are not repeat sessions.

What is Recovery Like after Laser Dentistry Treatments?

When we tell our patients from Milwaukee and the surrounding areas we’re going to use a laser for their treatment, they instantly assume the power of lasers must make for a painful procedure. The opposite is actually true. Because the laser wavelengths are absorbable by water and hemoglobin, the laser energy can instantly vaporize infected gum tissue without the need for a scalpel. And because the energy instantly coagulates the blood vessels and seals nerve endings, there is dramatically less pain and usually the incisions don’t require sutures.

When we use our LightScalpel CO2 Laser for soft tissue treatments our patients experience almost no pain afterwards. There are no incisions that need to heal — the laser energy instant closes the incision — and this makes for a faster, simple recovery.

Is Laser Dentistry Covered by My Dental Insurance?

Insurance companies cover procedures not methods. So, if you’re having a gummy smile addressed, the insurance company would choose to cover that procedure or not (possibly deeming it elective). The method used — whether scalpel or laser — is not part of their consideration. Generally, insurance reimbursement is a set amount based on the procedure. As with all procedures and treatments at Hampton Dental Associates, we work with your insurance provider to attain the highest amount of coverage possible.

Why laser procedures at Hampton Dental associates are safe?

Because scalpels and cutting aren’t necessary, the laser is considered a much safer way to resolve dental problems. Some of the benefits to this type of treatment include precision cutting and vaporization, less blood loss, minimal swelling and scarring, and decreased post-operative discomfort. Rather than noisy drills or scalpels and stitches, the LightScalpel CO2 allows us to remove infections or decay from your mouth. Additionally, the treatment is pain-free, making it appealing to our patients with dental anxiety – sometimes fear of traditional dental tools prevents patients from getting the help that they need.

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Is laser surgery appropriate for me?

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for laser surgery is to speak with your doctor. Dr. Rick Winter will be able to assess your specific situation and determine if laser surgery is right for you.

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See What Our Patients Are Saying:

“Hampton Dental is the Best!!! And this is not up for debate… I’ve got Sunshine on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May. I guess you’d say what can make me feel this way? Hampton Dental… Dr. Richard Winters” – Tiffany E.

Call 414-464-9021 for information on any of our services.

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Hampton Dental Associates is proud to offer affordable dentistry programs to help you regain your perfect smile.
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