LASER DENTISTRY

 

Highly Experienced, Dental Laser Expert Dentist

Dr. Edward Alvarez has made a commitment to having laser dentistry as one of the cornerstones of his practice since 2002. Dr. Alvarez is a Fellow of the World Clinical Laser Institute (WCLI), an organization devoted to education and advancement of lasers in dentistry. It is the largest organization of its kind in the world. Dr. Edward Alvarez is an expert on laser dentistry and has helped calm the fears of many patients in the New York City, New York area, and beyond. With laser dentistry, there is many times no need for shots or drills, meaning patients do not have to stress about their next appointment.

Dr. Edward A Alvarez was one of the first dentists in New York City to have an all tissue laser, and has lectured on Laser Dentistry both domestically and internationally. Dr. Edward Alvarez has also trained dentists on the use of dental lasers both in the United States and in Latin America.

 

What is Laser Dentistry?

Laser Dentistry is a practice where dentist use lasers instead of traditional tools like dental drills and scalpels to treat a number of oral health issues. Lasers have a long history in dentistry, as they have been in use since the early 1990's. Because lasers work by causing tissue to react upon contact, they can be used to remove or shape oral tissue at will. 

Lasers are typically used for a  number of different procedures including:

  • Removing decay, aka cavities in a tooth

  • Reshaping gums in patients where it is overgrown

  • Treatment of patients suffering from gum disease

  • Tissue biopsies

  • Cavity detection

  • Disinfection of Root Canals

  • Teeth Whitening

  • Treatment of canker sores and cold sores

  • Pain Therapy

  • Many more



  • What are the benefits of Laser Dentistry?

    Laser Dentistry has several clear advantages over traditional dentistry. The main advantage is the reduced need for the use of a dental drill. Many patients fear common dental tools, so a laser helps them feel relief when visiting the dentist.

    Additionally, Lasers:

    Reduce pain, bleeding, and swelling during procedures

    Recovery time is faster and less problematic

    Lasers are more precise, allowing more healthy tissue to be saved during procedures

    Lasers kill bacteria and viruses on the tissues they are treating

  • What are the disadvantages of Laser Dentistry?

    There are a few disadvantages to the use of laser dentistry.

    Lasers cannot be used to remove old silver amalgam mercury fillings since lasers will be reflected by the metal

    Lasers can be much slower at cutting teeth than a traditional drill, thereby extending treatment time.

    Nonetheless, the benefits of laser dentistry surely outweigh the drawbacks.

What type of dental lasers do we use?

  • Waterlase MD All Tissue Laser

    The Waterlase MD by Biolase is an all tissue dental laser used in laser dentistry, meaning it is able to cut both hard and soft tissue. It allows the laser dentist to many times treat cavities with no drill and no shot. The Waterlase uses water molecules activated by the laser energy to cut tooth enamel, bone, and soft tissue. Periodontal surgery, non surgical periodontal treatment such as LANAP, implant procedures, and treatment of cold sores and canker sores can all be accomplished using by using the Waterlase MD dental laser. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Edward Alvarez, a cosmetic dentist in Midtown Manhattan, New York City who has been performing laser dentistry for close to 20 years.

  • Biolase Epic X Diode Laser

    The Waterlase Epic X diode dental laser is used in laser dentistry for true laser tooth whitening and tooth bleaching. It is not an LED like many other systems that claim to perform laser tooth whitening, but are just blue lights. Since it is not an LED, it will not produce the same amount of heat, and can thereby give excellent tooth whitening results with minimal to no sensitivity, and in a shorter time span. In our Manhattan office, the Epic X dental laser also allows the cosmetic dentist to do periodontal surgery, gum recontouring, and to treat dental, TMJ, muscular, and facial pain.

  • KaVo DIAGNOdent Laser

    The KaVO DIAGNOdent laser is used in laser dentistry to help the cosmetic dentist find and identify dental cavities on the occlusal chewing surfaces of teeth. The laser will take a fluorescence reading and is then able to alert to the presence of decay that would otherwise be missed in a traditional clinical oral exam. It is wonderful in finding cavities in their earliest stages preventing more extensive, and expensive dental treatment in the future.