SERVICES > LASER DENTISTRY

Laser Dentistry Services in Hood River, OR

Laser dentistry is the use of lasers (actually an acronym for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation”) to treat a number of different dental conditions. Lasers were first used in clinical dental practice in 1989 and have since transformed many areas of dental practice by replacing drills and other tools as a more precise and comfortable option. Laser dental instruments create light energy in a very narrow and focused beam, produces a reaction, and allowing it to remove or shape tissues in the mouth.

Common Soft Tissue Laser Procedures:

  • Treating a “gummy smile” / crown lengthening

  • Treating tongue frenulum attachment

  • Removing soft tissue folds

Common Hard Tissue Laser Procedures:

  • Cavity detection

  • Tooth preparations and dental fillings

  • Treating tooth sensitivity

Additional Laser Procedures:

  • Viewing tissues

  • Removing benign tumors

  • Treating obstructive sleep apnea

  • TMJ (temporomandibular joint) treatment

  • Nerve regeneration

  • Treating cold sores

  • Teeth whitening

Our Solea Laser

Cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first CO2 dental laser to treat teeth and gums (hard and soft tissue), Solea is changing what it means to go to the dentist one appointment at a time. Solea is an isotopic CO2 laser that operates at a unique wavelength—9.3 microns—to deliver fast results whether used on gingiva, dentin, enamel, or bone. It produces a very narrow, intense beam of light energy that, when it comes in contact with tissue, is able to remove or reshape that tissue.

What They’re Saying

“Let me start by saying that going to the dentist is my greatest fear. Always has been since I was a child. Both of my experiences with Hood River Dental, both for extractions, have been superb. The dentists and dental assistants that I've had have been excellent. I think they may have helped me overcome my fear of going to the dentist!”

Fabian P.

The Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Painless Treatment

Many patients worry that the laser will be painful or feel like “burning”. But we can testify that neither of those concerns are true. Most patients do not feel anything at all. Others feel a bit of a “sensation” but would not call it uncomfortable. Because lasers cause little to no pain, local anesthetics can typically be avoided.

Precision

Lasers are so precise they can vaporize only the decay that’s present and leaves the surrounding healthy surrounding tissues alone. This type of precision also leads to less damage and, thus, less healing time.

Low Cost

Using lasers won’t cost our patients at Hood River Dental anything more than their normal procedures, it’s just another tool in our belt.

Low Infection Risk

The laser will sterilize the gums as it removes decay, making infection less likely.