A More Conservative Way to Treat Your Smile
What if certain dental procedures could be completed with greater precision, less disruption to healthy tissue and, in some cases, little or no anesthesia?
At Intentional Smiles, Dr. Taylor Barton uses the Fotona LightWalker dental laser as another way to make dentistry more conservative, comfortable and precise. LightWalker can be used on both teeth and soft tissue, allowing us to treat a wide range of concerns while staying true to one of our core philosophies: preserve healthy, natural tissue whenever possible.
Technology With a Purpose
We don’t bring technology into our practice simply because it’s new. It has to make sense for our patients.
The LightWalker laser gives Dr. Barton the ability to direct laser energy precisely where it is needed. Depending on the procedure, this can reduce the amount of healthy tissue affected during treatment and create a more comfortable experience before, during and after your visit.
For certain treatments, it may also mean less bleeding, reduced discomfort and an easier recovery.
What Can Laser Dentistry Treat?
One of the advantages of LightWalker is its versatility. Dr. Barton may recommend laser dentistry for a variety of dental and oral health needs, including:
Small Cavities and Fillings
For select small cavities, LightWalker can remove decay conservatively and may allow treatment to be completed without traditional drilling or local anesthesia.
Gum Disease
Laser technology can be used as part of periodontal treatment to target areas of concern around the gums. For certain patients, this may allow Dr. Barton to provide advanced gum care right here in our office.
Gum Contouring
Sometimes the teeth aren’t the only thing affecting the appearance of a smile. Laser gum contouring can gently reshape excess or uneven gum tissue to create more balanced proportions between the teeth and gums.
Soft-Tissue Treatment
The precision of the LightWalker makes it useful for a variety of soft-tissue procedures, including certain lesion removals, tongue-tie treatment, mouth ulcers and tissue contouring.
Laser-Assisted Extractions
For certain extractions and surgical procedures, Dr. Barton may incorporate laser technology to work precisely with the surrounding soft tissue and support the healing process.
Snoring and Sleep-Related Breathing Concerns
LightWalker technology can also be used to gently treat targeted soft tissues of the mouth and throat for certain patients with snoring or sleep-related breathing concerns. Dr. Barton will determine whether laser therapy, an oral appliance or another approach is appropriate based on your individual needs.
Can You Really Have Dental Work Without Anesthesia?
Sometimes.
For certain small cavities and other procedures, LightWalker may allow Dr. Barton to complete treatment without an injection or traditional drill. That can be especially appealing to patients who dislike needles, dental drilling or the lingering numbness that can follow an appointment.
It doesn’t mean every laser procedure is anesthesia-free. Your comfort and the type of treatment you need will determine the best approach.
Does Laser Dentistry Hurt?
Patient comfort is one of the reasons we invested in LightWalker technology. Laser dentistry often creates a different experience than treatment performed with traditional dental instruments.
What you experience will depend on the procedure being performed, but Dr. Barton will talk you through what to expect before treatment begins and make sure you remain comfortable throughout your visit.
Is Laser Dentistry Right for Everyone?
Laser dentistry gives us more options, but that doesn’t mean the laser is automatically the best option.
Dr. Barton looks at the individual patient, the condition being treated and the outcome we want to achieve before recommending an approach. Sometimes LightWalker offers a meaningful advantage. Other times, a traditional technique may still be the better choice.
That distinction matters to us.
Our goal isn’t to use the newest technology on every patient. It’s to have the technology, experience and options available to choose the most thoughtful treatment for you.
Dentistry That Preserves More of What Nature Gave You
Intentional Smiles was built around a different approach to dentistry: slow down, understand the whole person and recommend treatment intentionally.
Fotona LightWalker technology expands what we’re able to offer while supporting that same philosophy. More precision. More conservative options. Greater attention to your comfort. And treatment selected because it’s right for you.
If you’re interested in laser dentistry in Edmond, Oklahoma, or want to know whether LightWalker could be used for your specific dental needs, schedule a visit with Dr. Barton.
