Laser Dentistry for Oral Lesions in Chesapeake, VA

Laser dentistry treatment excises painful lesions while preserving healthy tissues. This means that your healing process will be much faster than with other treatment methods. The major advancements made in laser technology make it fast, easy, comfortable and convenient to treat lesions of all kinds.

Are There Different Types of Oral Lesions?

Are you curious about the different kinds of lesions that can affect the oral cavity? Continue reading to learn more about the characteristics and symptoms of the various types of oral lesions.

Canker Sores

Canker sores (or aphthous ulcers) can appear on any of the soft tissue within your mouth. They also form on the base of your gums. While they are painful, they are harmless and generally heal within two weeks. Patients who have a canker sore that has lasted longer than two weeks should contact their oral health care provider.

Cold Sores

Type 1 and type 2 of the herpes simplex virus are the causes of what are known as cold sores or fever blisters. This common viral infection presents itself as blisters filled with fluid that form on or around your lips. They usually go away on their own in between two to three weeks.

Hemangiomas

A hemangioma is a bright red birth mark that contains extra blood vessels. They are non-cancerous lesions that can develop anywhere on the body. In rare instances, these rubbery-in-appearance lesions form within the oral cavity.

HPV

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that has over 100 known strains, many of which affect the mouth and throat. An oral HPV lesion is considered to be precancerous and should be removed to prevent further spread. Common symptoms of HPV lesions include sore throats, earaches, enlarged lymph nodes and difficulty swallowing. Other symptoms may also present themselves.

Benefits of Laser Therapy for Oral Lesions

Oral lesions treatment completed via laser dentistry offers you several benefits that other forms of treatment don’t. The benefits provided by this method are:

• A more precise procedure that keeps healthy tissues intact.
• A decrease in the amount of anesthesia needed.
• A reduction in gum tissue trauma.
• A faster treatment time.
• A faster recovery and healing process.
• A reduction in pain and discomfort throughout the treatment process.
• A decrease in the necessity of prescription medication.

How Lesions of the Mouth Are Diagnosed

If you have one or more oral lesions, you need to have them properly diagnosed before receiving laser dentistry treatment. A complete examination of your mouth will be conducted by your dentist. This exam will allow the dentist to pinpoint any lumps, bumps or abnormalities. At the time of your examination, your dentist may take x-rays and clinical photographs.

If any abnormalities are detected, your dentist will perform a procedure known as a soft tissue biopsy. During this procedure, a small portion of the lesion will be removed and sent to the pathology lab for testing. Our dentists usually perform these biopsies at the same time as the laser therapy is done.

What Is the Treatment Process Like?

Oral lesions treatment via the use of laser therapy is a relatively simple process. Your dentist will numb the area surrounding the lesion so that you won’t feel anything throughout the treatment process. He or she will then program the dental laser to a frequency that will allow the healthy oral tissue in your mouth to stay intact. The lesion will then be excised from the oral cavity and the surrounding area will be cauterized. You will most likely feel immediate pain relief once the treatment has concluded.

A Case Study on Treating Viral Lesions with Laser Dentistry

Viral lesions are a commonly diagnosed type of oral lesion. Traditionally, these lesions would have been treated via the use of oral or topical medications. An interesting case study presented in Dentistry Today is an excellent example of how laser dentistry for oral lesions can effectively treat lesions caused by viral infections.

The case told the story of a 32-year-old male patient who came into his dentist’s office with a burning pain within the upper mouth. This pain was significantly impacting the patient’s ability to eat, speak and sleep. The dentist examined the patient’s mouth and diagnosed him with an outbreak of the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

The patient was treated with the Biolase Epix X diode laser. The treatment caused the patient to feel a warm sensation in his mouth, but there was no pain or burning sensation reported. When the dentist concluded the laser therapy session, the patient was asked to come back on the following day for a possible second session.

After arriving on the second day, the patient reported that the pain he had been feeling previously had disappeared and that he was able to go about his daily activities normally. The dentist examined the patient once again and found that the area had healed significantly and that the lesions on the upper dental arch were less inflamed.

Get in Touch with Konikoff Dental Associates Battlefield Boulevard to Find Out More

To learn more about how you can utilize this innovative treatment for lesions, contact Konikoff Dental Associates Battlefield Boulevard. We have multiple locations in the Chesapeake area that provide this service. You can schedule an appointment online or by contacting us via the phone. We look forward to helping you get rid of the pain and discomfort caused by your cold sore, canker sore or other oral lesion.