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Laser Dentistry

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Laser dentistry represents a significant step forward in how we approach oral care, offering a level of precision, comfort, and versatility that traditional dental instruments can’t always provide alone. By harnessing the power and precision of focused light energy, dental lasers allow us to treat a wide range of conditions more gently and conservatively, from targeting bacteria deep within the gumline to supporting soft tissue healing after periodontal therapy. At Tam Dental Group, laser dentistry allows our AACD-accredited Auckland dentist, Dr. Clarence Tam, and her team to deliver treatment with less discomfort, reduced recovery time, and a more patient-centered experience than traditional techniques. We’re thrilled to offer laser dentistry as part of our commitment to care that is thorough, modern, and always focused on you.

Understanding Your Oral Environment

Your mouth contains a rich and complex ecosystem of bacteria. Most are harmless, and many are actively beneficial. However, other types of oral bacteria can drive gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and chronic inflammation. When gum disease takes hold, these problematic bacteria can colonise deep within periodontal pockets, which are areas that standard cleaning instruments may struggle to fully access.

Laser therapy allows us to deliver focused light energy into these pockets with exceptional accuracy, significantly reducing the bacterial load while leaving surrounding healthy tissue untouched.

What are the Benefits of Laser Dentistry?

On top of the ability to reshape the gumline, laser dentistry offers a very modern and innovative technique to keep the gums clean, healthy, and free of disease. Treatment is:  

Laser hygiene therapy can be extremely helpful for patients experiencing bleeding gums, persistent inflammation, deeper periodontal pockets, or a history of gum disease. Treatment can also serve as an effective maintenance tool for those who have completed periodontal treatment and want to maintain stable results over time.

What are My Treatment Options for Laser Dentistry?

The way laser therapy is utilized will depend on the current state of your gum health. We may recommend:

From an aesthetic standpoint, dental lasers can also be used to reshape the gumline and achieve a more proportionate look between the teeth and gums. If you’re bothered by a “gummy” smile or your teeth appear short due to your gum visibility when smiling, laser gum reshaping can be an excellent option to recontour the gumline according to your goals. 

Laser Gum Disease Treatment & Hygiene Therapy

A healthy smile starts with great oral hygiene, but even the most dedicated home routine has its limits. Bacteria and hardened deposits, known as “calculus,” can build up beneath the gumline in places where brushing and flossing simply can’t reach. Laser therapy offers a gentle, precise way to strengthen your hygiene regimen and take your oral healthcare a step further.

Using focused light energy, our laser-trained hygienist can reach into periodontal pockets to reduce harmful bacteria, soothe inflamed gum tissue, and give your body’s natural healing processes the best possible environment to work in.

While laser therapy isn’t a substitute for conventional dental hygiene treatment, non-invasive dental lasers work alongside it. Advanced dental instruments are used to remove plaque, calculus, and biofilm from the tooth and root surfaces, while the Diode® laser addresses the surrounding soft tissue and disinfects the area, helping create cleaner, healthier conditions for the gums to recover.

How is Laser Therapy Performed?

A very fine laser is gently guided into the space between the tooth and gum. The laser energy works to disrupt bacteria and address infected tissue within the pocket. Once this decontamination phase is complete, the tooth and root surfaces are thoroughly cleaned. The laser may then be applied once more to encourage clot formation, helping to seal the pocket and support gum reattachment — leaving a cleaner environment for your immune system to continue the work of healing.

For patients managing active gum disease, a course of several visits is often advised to achieve the most stable and lasting result.

As with all treatments, individual suitability varies. We’ll carry out a thorough assessment and talk through the most appropriate approach before any treatment begins. Our goal is to make your oral hygiene care more comfortable, accurate, and effective at supporting your long-term oral health. With the right combination of professional treatment, laser therapy, and strong at-home habits, your gums are in the best possible position to heal and remain stable.

Photobiomodulation

Photobiomodulation, commonly referred to as “PBM,” is a light-based therapy designed to support the body’s healing processes, ease discomfort, and aid in tissue recovery. This technique is entirely non-invasive and non-thermal, meaning no cutting, heat, or tissue removal is involved. Instead, carefully calibrated light energy is applied to the treatment area to promote a healthy response at the cellular level.

In practical terms, PBM helps cells under stress function more effectively. When light at the correct wavelength and intensity is absorbed by cells, it stimulates the mitochondria — the structures responsible for generating cellular energy. This can boost ATP production, improve circulation in the local area, assist in moderating inflammation, and support the repair and regeneration of tissue. As a result, PBM is a natural complement to dental hygiene and periodontal treatment, where gums may be tender, inflamed, or in the early stages of healing. 

What are the Benefits of Photobiomodulation?

Photobiomodulation can help ease post-treatment discomfort, support soft tissue recovery, and contribute to a more comfortable experience following care. Common benefits of PBM include:

How is PBM Performed?

The dental laser is directed gently over or near the affected tissue for a short, carefully-timed session using settings chosen specifically for your situation. Most patients find the experience entirely comfortable and many notice little to no sensation throughout.

We consider photobiomodulation to be part of a thoughtful, conservative approach to modern dental care. While it can’t replace diagnosis, periodontal therapy, or a good at-home hygiene regimen, it can meaningfully enhance the healing environment and contribute to a better treatment outcome overall.

Treating Cold Sores and Ulcers with Laser Dentistry

If you have ever had a cold sore or fever blister, you may feel a sense of dread upon the familiar tingling feeling that signifies the onset of a breakout. Among the many applications of laser therapy is the ability to treat herpetic lesions (cold sores) faster and more effectively than ever! While these lesions typically take a couple of weeks to resolve naturally, the light-focused energy in our dental lasers can heal cold sores in as little as 48 hours. 

If you feel a lesion coming on, Dr. Tam and our dental team can use laser therapy to disinfect the sore and reduce swelling, bringing you virtually immediate relief from fever blisters faster than over-the-counter medications. Plus, lesions treated with laser dentistry are less likely to appear in the same spot in the event of future breakouts. Call our Auckland practice to learn more about how laser dentistry can treat herpetic sores and help restore your oral wellness.

Laser Gum Recontouring

If uneven or excessive gum tissue is dominating your smile, laser gum recontouring offers a long-term, gentle, and minimally invasive solution. Using targeted light energy, we can gently reshape the gumline to reveal more of the tooth surface, creating a smile that feels more balanced, proportionate, and natural. Best of all, treatment takes place with minimal discomfort and avoids traditional surgical techniques, such as cutting or stitching.
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