Advancing Precision and Comfort with Laser Light
Dental technology has advanced significantly, enabling procedures to be performed with less discomfort and shorter recovery times. One of the most notable innovations in dental care is the use of laser light. Laser therapy in dentistry provides patients with an effective treatment option in a short amount of time, helping to reduce anxiety, bleeding, swelling, and the risk of infection.
Utilizing laser therapy treatments, Dr. Alger provides patients with pinpoint-precise results that support faster tissue healing and overall comfort. The focused light energy stimulates natural tissue repair and blood flow in the treatment area, enhancing the healing process and minimizing undesirable side effects that can occur with traditional surgery.
What Is Laser Therapy?
The word L.A.S.E.R. stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Dental lasers use specific wavelengths of light to treat soft or hard tissue with incredible accuracy. Rather than using a scalpel, the laser energy removes or reshapes gum tissue with reduced trauma and minimal bleeding.
Dr. Alger determines when dental lasers are the best choice for each patient, based on their individual needs, anatomy, and treatment plan. At times, laser instruments are selected for periodontal surgical procedures or as an adjunct to other therapies to improve cellular metabolism and support better results.
Advanced Laser Dentistry for Gum Disease in Columbus
Laser therapy can play a key role in managing periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Using the laser’s concentrated beam, Dr. Alger targets inflamed tissue around the tooth roots and removes it with remarkable precision. This process eliminates harmful bacteria and plaque buildup along and beneath the gum line, promoting cleaner, healthier tissue.
The benefits of laser therapy include:
- Shorter healing times and reduced post-procedure discomfort
- Less swelling and bleeding
- Decreased need for sutures or traditional laser surgery methods
- A more comfortable experience for patients with chronic conditions that complicate healing
Cleaning away inflamed tissue and bacterial deposits helps the gums re-attach to the teeth, reducing pocket depth and supporting long-term oral health.
Types of Laser Technology Used in Dentistry
Dentistry and periodontics rely on different types of lasers for distinct applications. Dr. Alger commonly uses two forms of therapy lasers:
- Diode Laser: A simple type of laser often used in soft tissue procedures, such as cosmetic gum contouring or lesion removal.
- Waterlase Biolase Laser: A more advanced class of laser that combines water and laser energy for soft-tissue and bone surgery. This type of laser therapy allows precise cutting while preserving surrounding tissue and reducing side effects.
These systems operate at different wavelengths to match the needs of each treatment area, ensuring optimal results in a short amount of time.
How Laser Therapy Works
When the laser light interacts with tissue, it triggers a biological cascade of events that stimulates cell regeneration and enhances cytochrome c complex activity — the part of the cell that drives energy production. This improved cellular metabolism helps reduce inflammation, speed tissue repair, and promote a rapid decrease in pain and swelling.
Some of the same principles found in low-level laser therapy or cold laser therapy for back pain, neck pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome also apply to dental laser therapy. These cold lasers use light sources that deliver a small amount of energy to support pain relief and improve the range of motion in treated tissues.
Although dental lasers focus on oral applications, research throughout the United States and journals such as Lasers Med Sci continue to highlight the positive benefits of laser use in both acute conditions and chronic pain management.
Safety and Considerations
Multiple studies confirm that laser dentistry is safe and highly predictable when performed by trained professionals. Still, Dr. Alger believes in honest, research-based discussions about treatment benefits and limitations. Some advertising claims exaggerate laser therapy’s effects or promise miraculous healing, which scientific literature does not support.
During your consultation, Dr. Alger will explain the number of treatments you may need, possible side effects, and any acuteness of the condition that might affect recovery. He’ll also help verify whether your insurance company offers coverage for laser-assisted periodontal procedures.
Patients who follow their customized plan of care, maintain regular dental visits, and practice good oral hygiene often experience outstanding results without complications.
Is Laser Therapy a Good Treatment Option?
For many people, laser therapy is a good treatment option because it allows precise control, comfort, and efficient healing. Whether used for gum disease treatment, peri-implant care, or soft-tissue reshaping, this technology enables dentists to deliver effective treatments with fewer undesirable side effects and quicker recovery.
Because the laser targets only specific tissue, surrounding areas stay protected, which supports a more predictable and natural healing process. Most patients experience little to no discomfort, and procedures are typically completed in a small amount of time without the need for general anesthesia.
Experience the Benefits of Laser Dentistry in Gahanna
Modern laser dentistry enhances comfort, reduces healing time, and offers a less invasive approach to treating gum disease and other oral conditions. Whether used for soft-tissue reshaping, periodontal care, or precision implant maintenance, Dr. Alger’s expertise with laser therapy allows for safer, more predictable outcomes and faster recovery.
Patients throughout central Ohio trust Dr. Alger for his combination of advanced technology, clinical precision, and individualized care. If you’re interested in how laser dentistry can improve your oral health or complement your current treatment plan, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Video Transcript
This laser on the other hand uses a different technology and it’s more sophisticated laser, it is called a Waterlase/ biolase laser. It’s an erbium laser. We’re able to do so many different things with this laser, for example we can use it in treating peri-implant disease, it’s got a side firing laser piece that shoots out to the side to clean the implant surface, we can use it to remove lesions growths fibromas, you can use it for simple frenectomy. Dr. Alger can also use it on the bone! It’s a soft tissue cutting laser and a heart tissue cutting laser. It really has a wide variety of applications. One of the things that I do want to say is that sometimes you will hear claims made by certain laser companies that it’s so innovative that it totally eliminates our need for conventional treatment. We’re not at that point yet but it does enhance our ability to perform surgical treatment in a more effective way.