Limitations of Traditional Therapy
Not everyone is a fan of traditional root canals for numerous reasons, dentists and patients included. The majority of dentists agree that conventional root canals consume much time and are usually associated with high risks, especially for molars with complicated endodontic systems.
The arrival of rotary systems like Protaper has succeeded to cut the time to prepare the canals for filling, yet researchers are always on the run to find new revolutionary techniques and instruments to decrease the time required for this treatment even more, and with better results.
Laser Root Canal Therapy
Laser root canal technology will change the way dentists prepare the canals for filling and sealing. Its principle is quite simple, a laser with high-pressure water system creates enough heat and force to eliminate debris and bacteria present in the canals without fragilizing the inner dentin layers of the root.
Traditional root canals do not remove all of the germs within the endodontic system since they cannot reach dentin’s micro tubules and lateral canals that are usually filled with bacteria, and can cause a reinfection after sealing.
Advantages of Laser Therapy
Laser system cleans the dentin’s micro tubules and lateral canals, therefore, you will not have to cross your fingers and hope that the filling and sealing will be good enough to prevent any reinfections.
Conventional techniques have other disadvantages such as the risk of stripping the inner layers of the tooth (especially upper premolars), creating false routes or tearing the apical foramen, hence allowing bacteria to invade the surrounding alveolar bone and complicate the clinical situation on-hand.
There is no chance to bypass the apical foramen with the laser technique (Mechanically with instruments or chemically with NaCl), and this is a significant advantage that will increase the success rate of this therapy.
Traditional instruments can break or get stuck within the canals; such things are nightmares for dentists since it is hard to pull out the broken file without spending much time and confronting many risks. The laser system will allow the dentists to work comfortably without worrying about the fracture of endodontic instruments, hence making their tasks less stressful.
Canal obturation is usually the ultimate step of root canals (before crown filling), and dentists usually opt for Gutta Percha as a safe solution in-case there is a re-infection, and a retreatment is needed (Since it is colored differently than dentin). With laser treatment, dentists can choose different materials that are more durable like resins, since the success rate is much higher than conventional therapies, and the need for retreatments is much lower.Laser canal therapy has been used for some time now, but sadly, the cost of instruments used are still a constraint for start-up dentists.
A Chance to Share Your Successes
Show off your office’s investment in the best technology with your patients. Offices can securely message their patients through the SmilesConnect app, to highlight certain types of procedures — like Laser Therapy — or to show patients how new equipment changes the way they experience oral health care. Post videos of the process in action, patient testimonials, or even host a Q&A with prospective patients to help them decide their option.
Not Convinced? Find Out if There’s Another Way
Sometimes the snags that we get hung up on are everyday problems that just require a bit of fine tuning before getting it right. With laser therapy, it’s no different. If you’re considering investing in technology, have some that you can’t seem to get “just right” or are still on the fence, it can help to talk to peers in the same position.
With our sister mobile DentiChat app, you can whip your phone out, browse online forums, and even privately message other dentists regarding digital denture troubleshooting. Or, plan to attend one of the “chatcasts” on subjects related to other modern digital dentistry techniques.
Download both apps today to communicate with peers and patients as you never have before.