A dental laser functions by generating heat energy in the form of light, and then variable wavelengths are used to establish different outcomes. By using focused light beams, this modality allows for precision and reduced invasiveness compared to traditional methods. Typically, when compared to a surgical scissors or scalpel, incisions performed with laser are fast, “clean”, and by cauterizing the tissues, reduce/eliminate bleeding, allowing for faster healing and minimal/no scarring. An excellent example of its use is wrt lip ties or tongue ties which are/should be picked up by nurses or paediatricians at the time of birth – here usually the practitioner uses a scissors or a scalpel to snip the tie – the use of laser results in a less painful, reduced bleeding and faster healing sight – it also reduces the chances of reattachment which is often the outcome, despite all good intentions.

Uses of Laser Dentistry Indications and Uses:

• Soft Tissue Procedures: The Epic X is designed for a range of soft tissue procedures, including surgery, with features like a 940nm wavelength for faster and precise cutting and coagulation. This allows for procedures like gingivectomies or frenectomies to be done fast, with minimal bleeding and faster healing.
• Pain Relief: It’s offers relief of minor pain, including pain associated with TMJ or other temporomandibular disorders. 
• Teeth Whitening: The laser can be used in conjunction with a bleaching agent to stimulate fast, safe, and effective teeth whitening. 
• Aphthous Ulcer Treatment: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with the Epic X can potentially treat aphthous ulcers and related lesions, reducing pain and stimulating healing. 
• Bacterial Reduction: The laser can help reduce bacteria in the surgical area and is an awesome adjunct in cleaning out tooth extraction sockets and cavitation areas after debridement. 
• Faster Healing and Reduced Swelling: The laser can promote faster treatment and healing, with minimal swelling and scarring. 
• Gum recontouring:  “gummy” smiles can be reshaped by gently trimming back the gum line of each tooth. This virtually painless laser procedure can be a great complement to a cosmetic dentistry treatment, such as porcelain veneers.
• Crown Lengthening: where a cavity extends below the gum line, the laser can be used to take down the gingiva, allowing the margin of the tooth to be accessible for restoring supra-gingivally, making it easier to keep clean and giving it better long term success. Where the bone needs to be trimmed, the laser allows for “clean access” with minimal bleeding for better visibility. On a different wavelength, the laser can be used for haemostasis (reducing/halting bleeding).
• Frenectomy Surgery for Infants, Children and Adults: typically the lip (more commonly the top lip) is attached to the gum by a little frenum –  in some people, the frenum attaches the lip tighly to the gum in an elevated position, keeping the upper lip in an open position. Although very cute in children, this tie often keeps the upper lip from coming down to close against the lower lip – this can result in habitual mouth breathing and may affect speech as certain letters are difficult to form as the lip seal is not happening. Lazers allow for the releasing of the lip with minimal topical anaesthetic needing to be used for infant comfort or additional use of minimal local anaesthetic in children and adults. With laser frenectomies, the results are better, with minimal bleeding and a lower risk of reattachment, especially where exercises are incorporated into the daily routine to teach the tip correct position and formation of letters.
• Tongue Tie for Infants, Children and Adults: Tongue Tie is a condition formally known as ankyloglossia, in which the frenulum – the thin bit of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth – is too short, and/or is positioned higher up along the tongue closer to the tip of the tongue rather than towards its base, thereby restricting movement. Sadly often going undiagnosed at birth, babies are often unable to latch properly for breastfeeding, leaving baby and mother in a less than ideal situation.
• Other common symptoms of a problematic tongue- or lip-tie include:
  • Poor latchSlides off nipple or falls asleep while trying to latchColic symptomsReflux symptomsContinuous feedingsGumming the nippleUnable to take a pacifier or bottle
  • Creased, cracked, bruised, blistered or bleeding nipples

The frenectomy procedure performed by Dr. Theologides resolves the tongue tie, allowing infants to feed more easily and, in turn, receive the essential and rich nutrients and antibodies an infant needs.

• Biopsy or lesion removal: A biopsy is indicated when there is a growth or the oral tissue or tongue appears to have clinical changes – thus a small area or the growth (where not too large) is cut out with a laser to test for malignancy, or the presence of pathogens. A laser can be utilized to remove tissue for this reason, preventing significant bleeding and swelling, often seen with scalpel and traditional procedures.