Patients at Santa Monica Bay Dental now enjoy a more comfortable dental experience thanks to the innovative Solea® technology. This advanced dental laser allows for virtually painless treatments without the need for needles or drills. The technology can perform a wide range of dental services that traditionally require more invasive tools and procedures.
Solea, a groundbreaking dental laser, is the solution patients and dentists have long anticipated. In our practice, Solea takes the place of the traditional dental drill for most procedures. Remarkably, the majority of our patients forgo anesthesia as it’s no longer necessary. Our commitment to your comfort with Solea is part of our dedication to making your dental experience pleasant, always aiming to keep you smiling.
Solea not only contributes to patient satisfaction but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of both patients and our dental staff. By greatly minimizing the splatter and aerosols typically produced during dental procedures, Solea effectively reduces the risk of transmitting viruses and bacteria. This results in significantly fewer airborne particles that could harbor harmful germs and viruses.
Laser dentistry incorporates lasers for various dental treatments, offering an efficient alternative to conventional dental drills. Lasers provide a rapid method for conducting dental procedures, leading to shorter patient recovery periods.
Lasers function by emitting energy as concentrated light. In dental applications, they serve as precise cutting tools or vaporizers for the tissue they encounter. For teeth whitening procedures, lasers are utilized as a heat source to amplify the effectiveness of tooth-bleaching products.
The two main types of lasers dentists use to treat dental conditions are hard tissue and soft tissue lasers. Each kind of tissue absorbs wavelengths of light differently, so each laser uses a different wavelength that makes it appropriate for cutting into that specific type of tissue.
A hard tissue laser is used primarily for teeth. The wavelength of these lasers cuts through both water and bone, specifically the calcium phosphate in bones and teeth. These lasers can very accurately cut into teeth to facilitate certain dental procedures.
Soft tissue lasers are ideal for cutting into soft tissue and sealing the exposed blood vessels simultaneously. As a result, patients don’t bleed very much during soft tissue procedures, and healing is quicker after treatment. Soft tissue lasers are also great for cosmetic procedures because patients can begin to see results right away.
At Santa Monica Bay Dental, we are proud to provide Solea, the pioneering CO2 dental laser system approved by the FDA for hard and soft tissue treatments. Developed by Convergent Dental in Boston, Massachusetts, this technology is grounded in research from the University of California School of Dentistry. Solea utilizes a distinct wavelength, controlled by advanced computer guidance, to offer nearly pain-free dental procedures. This includes everything from basic cavity fillings to intricate teeth and gums surgeries. The experience is so remarkably comfortable it might be hard to believe it was a dental visit.
Most hard and soft tissue procedures in our office are done with virtually no anesthesia, and soft tissue procedures are done with virtually no bleeding. Blood-free and anesthesia-free procedures represent a major leap forward in dentistry, as we can execute multi-quadrant dentistry, fillings on the fly, and soft tissue procedures in a single appointment. What does that mean for you, our patients? You can now receive the care you need in a fraction of the time. When patients have anesthesia, they typically leave the office with that numb feeling still prevalent. With Solea, you can go right out to lunch or back to work without that numb sensation following your appointment. Solea is truly changing what it means to go to the dentist.
Laser dentistry offers distinct benefits:
Laser dentistry is an innovation that makes many treatments possible and others more comfortable. These are a few of the ways we use lasers in our dental practice:
Patients can expect their post-operative experience after laser dentistry will likely be smoother than after traditional surgery. Because a laser causes far less bleeding than a scalpel, the site of your surgery will bleed much less when you get home, and wound, healing will occur more quickly.
While you should still follow cleaning and care instructions to the letter, you’re less likely to get an infection. You also won’t typically experience the post-op pain and discomfort associated with scalpel surgery; post-op irritation after laser surgery is likely to be minor.
To alleviate your concerns and ensure a comfortable, pain-free dental experience, explore the services our Santa Monica Bay Dental team provides in Santa Monica, CA. If you’ve been delaying soft tissue treatments due to anxiety or concerns about recovery time, we invite you to experience our quick and minimally invasive laser dentistry solutions!
Laser dentistry represents a significant advancement in promoting optimal oral health for dentists and patients. Reach out to us today to discover how laser dentistry can benefit you.
