Aesthetic Laser Dentistry - Smile Enhancement with Laser Technology

Aesthetic Laser Dentistry - Smile Enhancement with Laser Technology

With the aesthetic zone being absolutely critical to a patient’s external appearance and inner emotions, orchestrating a bioesthetic result is mandatory. Too often, this is complicated when aesthetic desires infringe on the health of the periodontal complex...

With the aesthetic zone being absolutely critical to a patient’s external appearance and inner emotions, orchestrating a bioesthetic result is mandatory. Too often, this is complicated when aesthetic desires infringe on the health of the periodontal complex.

This is often true when biologic width violations have occurred iatrogenically. Many factors may contribute to these failures, the two main culprits being intracrevicular margin location and over contoured restorations. Not only is plaque accumulation problematic, but the supracrestal fibers also become interrupted, causing the tissues to become further inflamed and aesthetically unmanageable.

Kois’ landmark study defined the total dentogingival complex (DGC) as clinically predictable at 3.0 mm on the direct facial aspect, and at 3.0-5.0 mm interproximally when measured from the free gingival margin to the osseous crest. It is critical anteriorally that the gingival margin mimics the osseous scallop while maintaining the DGC.1 Further complicating these complex situations is the degree of inflammation in the soft tissue, affecting the clinical development of health and aesthetic symmetry.

Dental lasers have evolved considerably as an adjunctive and alternative treatment to safely, conservatively, and reliably decrease bacterial levels and improve the hard and soft tissue contours.

Often the patient is frustrated with his or her previous poor cosmetic results, but to improve the periodontal framework in order to create an ideal result, they must be referred to yet another doctor. Even more challenging is the extended healing time created by reflective mucoperiosteal surgery.

This not only affects the chronology of final restorative care, but also delays the patient’s ultimate satisfaction and happiness for a minimum of two to three months. Fortunately, dental lasers have evolved considerably as an adjunctive and alternative treatment to safely, conservatively, and reliably decrease bacterial levels and improve the hard and soft tissue contours. Studies of Er: YSGG lasers by Rizoiu and others have shown that thermal coagulative results, as well as bony ablation characteristics are similar to a dental bur.

From a patient-friendly standpoint, less need for suturing and shorter healing times improves case acceptance for doing ideal dentistry. In selected cases, such as the one presented in this article, minimally invasive laser procedures, with precise restorative planning and technique, can satisfy aesthetic and functional parameters. Furthermore, patients can enjoy optimal results more comfortably and efficiently.

A conservative strategy was devised that would allow us to correct the problems and causes in a “multitasking” manner.

The use of a hard/soft tissue laser is a wonderful adjunctive tool for cosmetic and restorative dentistry. The studies demonstrate that this type of laser technology gives dentists the ability to make significant soft and hard tissue changes while being minimally invasive. These changes not only improve the final aesthetic outcome of the case but also provide the physiologic functional parameters required for successful dentistry.

Hugh Flax, DDS, PC
Cosmetic Dentist
www.FlaxDental.com

Copyright 2007 – Flax Dental. This article can be reproduced in its entirety, if the author credit and website address is retained.

About Author

Dr. Flax is internationally recognized for lecturing and writing about smile transformations and laser dentistry and is an accredited member of the AACD since 1997. He was co-chair of the Conference Advisory Committee for the 2003 Annual Scientific Session and will be for the 2008 meeting in New Orleans. He is a member of the AACD Board of Directors, is on the editorial board of The Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, and chairs the Disaster Relief Fund.

Dr. Flax also is a member of the ADA, the AGD, the ALD, the L.D. Pankey Alumni Association, and the Pierre Fauchard Society. He is a Fellow of the IADFE. Dr. Flax practices full time in Atlanta, Georgia, focusing on functional- and appearance-related conditions and advanced laser dentistry. He and his wife, Robyn, have two daughters. http://www.FlaxDental.com

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