Dental anxiety is not a phenomenon, this phobia is very real. It is estimated that somewhere between 20 and 75 percent are fearful of the dentist and roughly 9 -15 percent of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of fear and anxiety. Fortunately, there are significant advances in modern dentistry and the development of new technologies that are helping to alleviate that fear and anxiety. One of the biggest innovations is laser dentistry.
Most are familiar with laser technology and its uses in medical aesthetics, but many are not familiar with its new role in dental care. It is safe, effective and allows more precision for diagnosis and treatment. One of the biggest appeals of laser dentistry is that it’s needle-free and pain-free, which specifically helps eliminate the significant causes of dental anxiety for many patients. For those who are reluctant to make regular appointments and checkups due to a fear of needles, this is especially appealing.
Dr. John Dougherty and Dr. Prabhidi Adhikari are dedicated to providing the best treatment options for their patients. As part of that commitment, Artistic Dental is often one of the first dental practices in the country to invest in new technologies, including laser dentistry. The dentists are also committed to staying abreast of the latest advances in dentistry through continued education. They continuously seek to learn and to implement the latest technologies to make the patient experience as comfortable as possible. Laser dentistry is just one on the list of services offered at our office.
Here is a list of the various laser dentistry we now use:
- DIAGNOdent: A laser assisted cavity detection device, which scans your teeth for hidden decay. This laser device allows the dentist to monitor the areas below the hard surfaces of the teeth and find areas of interior decay. The goal is to get to the decay before it destroys the structure of the tooth and DIAGNOdent helps to achieve this.
- NV Microlaser: A soft tissue laser, this allows for the treatment of cankers or cold sores in just 10 minutes. This laser is extremely accurate due to its small size, meaning healing time is also shorter. The NV Microlaser is also used for cosmetic procedures to shape the gums and eliminate “gummy” smiles.
- Solea: A laser that allows for the treatment of cavities without the need of Novocain or a drill. Artistic Dental was of the one first dental offices in the country to use the Solea This laser technology cuts the tooth to remove decay and make space for the filling. The tool is fast and patients can have multiple cavities filled in one visit, and being able to skip the shot means you can get back to work without the numb feeling typically experienced from traditional treatments. Fees for this service are the same cost as filling cavities traditionally and will be covered under insurance based on a patient’s policy coverage.
If you have any further questions about these technologies and how they are beneficial to patients that suffer from dental anxiety, both Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Adhikari would be happy to explain and answer. Please call our office at (602) 840-5400 or visit to speak with our staff. We are located just two blocks south of the Biltmore Fashion Park, on the Southwest of Campbell and 24th Street and you can always check our office hours here.