If you’re afraid of dental drills or anesthetic shots, you’ll be ecstatic to learn that those old tools have become obsolete. While not too many offices have the new tools, it’s possible to find them at certain Dentists in Oyster Bay NY. Locust Valley Dental Group in Oyster Bay NY is one such office. Of course, it’s natural to wonder how a cavity can be eliminated without a drill, so here’s some information about the latest alternatives.
Laser Cavity Treatment
This is the method used by Locust Valley Dental Group. With it, a laser is used to vaporize decay without vibration or pressure. The laser’s activity doesn’t produce heat in untargeted areas, either. This eliminates the sources of the pain that would be caused by drilling. Many patients need no anesthetic because of this, so it’s great for people who hate getting shots or the long-lasting numbness they produce.
A dental laser uses a combination of water, air, and laser energy to do its work. There is no need for the tool itself to contact the target surface. This eliminates the risk of cross contamination between patients and other such problems.
Another exciting fact about a dental laser is that it isn’t just for teeth. It can also be used for bone, gum, and other tissues in and around the mouth. This makes it an excellent alternative to a scalpel when oral surgery is performed.
Air Abrasion
This is another no-drill method for treating cavities. It basically sandblasts them away. Air is used to send tiny particles at the cavity and abrade it. These particles are sucked back up the moment they do their work, so patients don’t have to worry about breathing them in. Like the laser, air abrasion doesn’t generate pressure, heat, or vibration.
Alas, air abrasion technology is more limited than that of the laser. Patients often need anesthetic, and it’s only good for small cavities. It can’t be used on soft tissue or the jaw bone, so it’s not suitable for oral surgery.
Because of these differences, the laser is preferred by the most up-to-date dentists in Oyster Bay NY. Lasers can be used for cavities of all sizes as well as oral surgery. Even better, they are usually painless when used to remove decay. Visit .
