29 June 2022
How is a root canal performed with laser dentistry?
Laser dentistry has revolutionised root canal treatment, with multiple key benefits for patients.
The laser-assisted root canal procedure is faster, more comfortable, more precise, and more effective. Healing and recovery are quicker, too.
These advantages are achieved by using a laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) instead of a drill.
Pain-free laser dentistry provides a superior root canal solution to remove diseased tissue deep in a diseased tooth and kill bacteria to prevent reinfection.
If you have a badly infected tooth through decay or other damage, root canal therapy may be able to avoid extraction. Here, we’ll explain how laser dentistry is used in a root canal procedure.
The Laser Root Canal Procedure
Lasers produce energy in the form of light. Lasers in dentistry can be used as both a cutting tool and to destroy infection.
In laser-assisted root canal therapy, this focused beam of light accesses the central core of a tooth to vaporise infected dental pulp, sterilise areas that can be hard to reach with a drill, and reshape the walls of the root canal.
These are the steps in a laser root canal:
- Local anaesthetic is administered to numb the area.
- A rubber dam is placed to isolate the tooth.
- The laser creates an opening through the surface of the tooth.
- Infected tissue is removed and root canals cleaned and thoroughly disinfected using light waves.
- The tooth is filled with gutta-percha – a plastic substance from the Malaysian percha tree.
- The opening in the tooth is sealed with a filling. A post may be inserted for additional support.
- A dental crown is cemented onto the rebuilt tooth.
A straightforward laser root canal can be performed in just 30 minutes. In some cases, more appointments may be needed to completely drain the infection, and you’ll need a temporary filling.
Advantages of a Laser Root Canal
A laser root canal limits the need for anaesthesia and significantly reduces discomfort by minimising dental anxiety – unlike a drill, laser dentistry is quiet and produces less friction.
Other benefits of laser root canal treatment compared with a regular root canal include:
- Effectiveness – a dental laser removes damaged tissue and cleans the area more thoroughly.
- Precision – a laser root canal preserves more healthy tooth structure.
- Convenience – less time in the dental chair.
- Faster recovery – less swelling and bleeding, and lower risk of infection.
How Much Does a Laser Root Canal Cost?
Laser root canal costs vary, depending on factors such as:
- Complexity of the procedure.
- Extent of infection.
- Which tooth is being treated.
- How many roots the tooth has.
Laser root canal treatment can cost hundreds of dollars less than the alternative of tooth extraction and replacement with a dental implant.
Laser root canal costs at Laser Root Canal Treatment in Sydney start from $950, with interest-free payment plans available to spread the cost.
Call us on (02) 8331 6677 to find out more about the laser root canal procedure.
SUITE 413, LEVEL 4/307 PITT ST, SYDNEY NSW 2000
