Subjects Covered:
		Argon laser
		Nd:YAG laser
		Infrared laser

Dental lasers speed healing and decrease pain!  We have several dental lasers available to improve the quality of our dentistry.

Argon laser:
This is a laser used to nearly double the hardness of our composite (nonmetallic) dental restorations (fillings). It also has healing properties.

Nd:YAG laser:
The Nd:YAG laser helps to loosen hard deposit so it takes less effort to remove it from the tooth. When used for cleaning, the Nd:YAG leaves a smoother tooth surface than hand instruments do. One of the most irritating factors of cleaning teeth can be the noise of the removal of the deposit. The laser alters this noise to a more comfortable level.  The patients that have the Nd:YAG laser used on them seem to enjoy its benefits and continue to request it for service. We have found it to be invaluable in many situations.

Post surgical therapy always includes the Nd:YAG laser because it increases blood flow which brings more oxygen and energy to the cells to promote healing. Patients often notice an immediate decrease in pain and a significant reduction in swelling. The Nd:YAG laser is also known to kill certain types of bacteria or viruses (like Herpes).

Infrared laser:
This is a small, handheld laser that can reduce or eliminate pain and tenderness in sensitive teeth.

The information contained herein has been obtained from a variety of sources. This document is presented to increase awareness of the topic and educate the general public. It is not intended to be an extensive discussion of this subject, or to provide specific treatment guidelines

References
Academy of Laser Dentistry