Dec 14 2008
John Bryan lay patiently as his dentist, Dr. Chris Edwards, shot laser energy into his gums, without anesthesia, to reshape them.
The procedure lasted just two to three minutes, creating minimal bleeding and discomfort. The use of lasers, or "scalpels of light," in dentistry stretches back several decades, experts say, although a handful of general dentists are pushing the technology into newer territory.
Its most recent application is as a last step to a traditional root canal, to wipe out any bacteria lingering in the tubules, or tiny holes, surrounding a tooth's roots. Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a laser, which is made by Biolase, an Irvine, Calif., company, for this use.
"The laser is the future of medicine -- not just dentistry," Edwards says, despite a high cost and varying insurance coverage for patients. "I could never imagine not using it."