Laser Dentistry: A Better Smile In Just Hours

Here is a nice article on what laser dentistry can do. I have been using lasers in my office for 15 years. Its a great way to treat patients!

Go to KMOT-TV and watch the video

Joanna Small
6/27/2007
It begins with a photo session, and it ends with a beautiful smile.

But in between there`s the procedure that makes the transformation possible.

Yesterday health reporter Joanna Small had her own mouth assessed in a smile analysis, and today she follows a patient as she grins and bears it all to makes some subtle changes worth smiling about.

Sometimes a smile speaks louder than words.

So the last thing you want it to say is, "I`m uncomfortable."

"I had some problems with my gums I was self-conscious about."

But recent college grad and future Harvard law student Shannon Sorrells says she never knew there was a solution in the form of a simple, non-surgical procedure.

"Basically it`s just exfoliating one layer at a time and sculpting til I have the results that I want," Dr. Everett Heringer, laser and cosmetic dentist explains.

It`s called laser dentistry and what Shannon wants is a more even gum line and better shape to her teeth.

"These two gums here should match up in height. This gum is much lower and you have a very short tooth," Dr. Heringer explains to Shannon.

But he can fix that, anesthesia and pain free.

"The laser comes through a quartz or sapphire tip and energizes water in front of the tip. It makes the water have a popping noise."

Not only does it rub away the unwanted part of her gums, but it can also fix jagged edges on her teeth and re-shape misshapen spaces in between them.

Plus both the healing and the procedure itself are quick.

"In an hour and hour and half she`s going to walk out of here with a new smile," Dr. Heringer says.

"My goal is to keep it my smile, have it be my look," Shannon explains.

So not new, just improved.

And that`s something to smile about.

Dr. Heringer says only about 2-3% of dentists in the nation are using laser dentistry.

It costs about one third less than surgery.

You`ll pay between $300-400 per tooth for gum and bone lifts, and about $100 for tooth re-shaping.

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