Tooth decay: lasers are used to remove decay within the tooth and prepare the surroundings enamel for receipt the  of the filling. Lasers are also used to "cure" or harden a filling.

Gum disease: lasers are used to reshape the gums and remove bacteria during root canal procedures.

Biopsy or lesion removal: lasers can be used to remove small pieces of tissue to send out for testing to determine if it's cancerous and to relieve the pain of canker sores.

Teeth whiting: lasers are used to speed up the in-office teeth whitening procedures. Peroxide bleaching solution, applied to the tooth surface, is "activated" by laser energy, which speeds up the whitening process.       

Some of the pros and cons are…..

Pros


  • May cause less pain in some instances, therefore, reducing the need for anesthesia.
  • May reduce anxiety in patients uncomfortable with the use of the dental drill.
  • Minimize bleeding and swelling during soft tissue treatments.
  • May preserve more healthy tooth during cavity removal.

Cons


  • Lasers can't be used on teeth with fillings already in place.
  • Lasers can't be used in many commonly performed dental procedures. For example, lasers can't be used to fill cavities located between teeth or around old fillings.
  • Traditional drills may still be needed to shape the filling, adjust the bite, and polish the filling even when a laser is used.
  • Lasers do not eliminate the need for anesthesia.
  • Laser treatment tends to be more expensive since the cost of the laser is much higher than a dental drill. Lasers can cost between $39,000 and $45,000 compared to about $600 for a standard drill.