Is There Really an Alternative to the Dreaded Dentist’s Drill?

If you dread visits to the dentist, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that about 20% of Americans suffer so much anxiety, they will only go to the dentist when they absolutely have to. Among the reasons people hate visiting the dentist are the pain, the needle and of course, that dreaded drill.

Unfortunately, the needle was needed to reduce pain to a minimum and the drill was needed to remove enough tooth material to place your filling. First, the dentist would remove the part of the tooth that was attacked by bacteria – the cavity – and then a little bit more so there was a clean, evenly-shaped area for the filling. Then he could place the filling itself.

Introducing the Dental Laser*

Up to now, the drill has been the only choice to clean up that area of the tooth in preparation for a filling. Now, StarBrite Dental offers you a new alternative that not only replaces the drill – it also eliminates the need for the needle for many patients!

We’re always seeking out the most advanced techniques and equipment to give our patients the best experience. That’s why we have recently added this innovative dental laser to our practice. Early testing proved that as many as 90% of patients on whom the laser was used reported only mild discomfort or slight pain not requiring any injection of anesthetic. Only 6% of patients needed a painkilling injection. In these tests and in dental practices around the country, even children have tolerated this procedure well and had cavities filled without anesthetic.

How Does the Laser Work?

Our dental laser, a state-of-the-art system known as Waterlase , combines water, air and laser energy for precision use on teeth and mouth tissue. Since our teeth are partially composed of water, when the laser makes contact with the tooth, it excites the water molecules and cuts through the tooth. As the light flashes, water and air are also directed on the tooth, eliminating any heat buildup. The result is a much more comfortable dental visit.

Some people describe the popping noise the laser makes as being like the sound of a woodpecker. But there’s none of that grinding noise or the vibration that accompanies drilling. And in most cases, less tooth material needs to be removed during these procedures and there’s less chance of cracking or damage to other parts of the tooth.

More Dental Work in Less Visits

When this dental laser is well tolerated by a patient and no anesthetics are needed, it’s possible for a dentist to perform work in more than one part of the mouth in a single visit. This means the patient doesn’t need to take another afternoon off work and drive to the dentist’s office.

For people who hate visits to the dentist, a dental laser offers a completely different experience. For those who don’t mind it so much, it can make a dental visit a positive breeze! If you’re already a patient of StarBrite Dental , ask about our laser the next time you make an appointment.

And if you know someone who hates the dentist or is ignoring their oral health, let them know there’s something completely new in our Rockville dental practicethat can make visiting the dentist far more tolerable. Maybe even pleasant. Have them call us at (301) 770-1070 so they can learn for themselves how a dental laser can make it possible to keep their teeth in tip-top shape without the use of a drill.

*The laser cannot be used in all cases or all procedures.