San Francisco Laser Dentist

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Using lasers in dental procedures provides a level of precision that can't be achieved with conventional dental procedures. With laser dentistry:

• A procedure may not require sutures
• There is less bleeding
• Certain dental procedures can be done without anesthesia
• Damage around the procedure location is usually less
• Wounds often heal faster than with conventional dental procedures
• There is no whining sound like a dental drill

Types of Dental Lasers

The Food and Drug Administration has approved several types of lasers for use in dental treatment of adults and children. Different types of lasers are used in the various steps of a dental procedure including diagnosis and the actual implementation of the procedure. There are two basic categories of dental lasers:

• Hard tissue lasers – These lasers are used to cut into bone and teeth. They are also used to prepare teeth for bonding and to repair worn dental fillings.
• Soft tissue lasers – These lasers penetrate the soft tissue and seal blood vessels and nerve endings. Soft tissue lasers let the tissues heal faster.

Procedures that Use Lasers

The procedures for lasers currently center on the laser's precision in removing gum materials from the mouth and the laser's effectiveness in killing bacteria. The laser might be used for a long period of time or just a few seconds during the procedure.

Lasers are often used for:

• Dental fillings – They can harden the bonding materials in fillings. Hard tissue dental lasers may reduce the need for an injection of a local anesthetic. They can also kill the bacteria in a cavity without having to use the dental drill.
• Locating cavities – A low-powered laser called DIAGNOdent can detect tiny pits in the tooth enamel before they become cavities.
• Tooth sensitivity – A dental laser can seal tubules at the root of the tooth that cause hot and cold sensitivity.
• Benign tumors – Tumors can be removed painlessly and without the need for sutures from the gums, palate, the sides of cheeks and the lips.
• Gummy smiles – A dental laser can remove gum tissue around the tooth to expose a healthy tooth structure and improve a patient's smile.

As the technology continues to improve and the costs decrease, lasers may also be used for:

• Teeth cleaning – Tartar can be removed without scraping.
• Root planing – The laser would replace the current procedure which uses a scraping tool that is liable to damage surrounding tissue.
• Dental implant surgery – The laser would be used to open the bone areas to insert the implant bases.

San Francisco Laser Dentists

San Francisco has many dentists who provide excellent dental services as well as several excellent dental schools such as the University of California at San Francisco.

A growing number of dentists are using laser dentistry in their procedures. The Academy of Laser Dentistry provides an expansive list of their member dentists by zip code. The list includes their educational and contact information. Here are a few San Francisco laser dentists:

• John D B Featherstone – 707 Parnassus Avenue, Between 4th and 5th, San Francisco 415-476-0860 Near the UCSF Medical Center. Five blocks from the Judah and 9th Avenue MUNI station.
• Greg Larson, DDS - 498 Jackson Street, Near Montgomery Street, San Francisco 415-397-2804 One block from the MUNI line.
• Union Fillmore Dental - Marianna Rexan, DDS - 3003 Fillmore Street, Near Union Street, San Francisco 415-346-9173 on the MUNI line.
• Leo Arellano, DDS - 3030 Geary Blvd, Between Blake Street and Cook Street, San Francisco 415-752-8311 On the MUNI line.

Selecting a Laser Dentist

It is possible that your current dentist already uses lasers for certain procedures. Before you step out to find a new dentist, talk to your current dentist about their procedures. If they don't use lasers, they can probably refer you to a dentist with whom they have had experience.

Prescreening a Prospective New Dentist

Call the office of the prospective dentist. Tell the receptionist that you are looking for a dentist who regularly uses laser dentistry in their practice. Specifically ask:

• Does the dentist use laser dentistry every day?
• How long has the dentist used laser dentistry?
• How long would it take for you to get an initial appointment? What would it cost?
• If the dentist accepts your dental insurance plan. If not, ask about the dentist's policy on extended payments.
• If the dentist provides references of patients on whom he or she has used laser dentistry and who would be willing to give a reference for the dentist.