Laser Dentistry for Oral Lesions in Chesapeake, VA

Before laser therapy was an option, patients had to use home remedies, medications, chemicals or topical products to treat their lesions. These types of treatments aren’t always effective or comfortable. Using laser therapy to treat lesions allows the problem to be removed at its source and promotes a faster recovery time and healing process. Now it’s time to become educated on the different types of oral lesions and how they can be treated via the use of laser dentistry treatment.

Are There Different Kinds of Oral Lesions?

There are various types of oral lesions that can form within the mouth. Many of them are harmless, however some may be of some cause for concern. Here are some of the characteristics of these different kinds of lesions.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are sometimes referred to as aphthous ulcers. This type of oral lesion is quite common and tends to appear around the base of your gums or upon any of the soft tissues within your oral cavity. Canker sores are harmless, although they can cause you to feel quite a lot of pain and discomfort. If you have a canker sore that lasts longer than two weeks, call your dentist.

Cold Sores

Cold sores are also referred to as fever blisters. This is another common form of lesion. It is caused by a viral infection known as herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that can be found on or around your lips. In most cases, they will go away after a few weeks.

Hemangiomas

This type of lesion is a bright red birthmark. They are rubbery and have extra blood vessels within them. Hemangiomas are non-cancerous and can be found anywhere on the body. In rare cases, they can be found within the mouth.

HPV

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes healthy cells to turn into abnormal ones. This means that any lesions caused by HPV are considered to be precancerous and need to be taken out in order to prevent further growth from occurring. HPV is a common sexually transmitted disease that has over 100 strains known to be in existence. Oral lesions caused by HPV can happen anywhere within the oral cavity and may be accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, enlarged lymph nodes, sore throats, earaches and more.

Benefits of Laser Treatment for Mouth Lesions

There are a lot of advantages associated with receiving laser therapy for oral lesions treatment. These advantages are:

• More precision than other types of procedures, which means that more healthy tissue is preserved.
• Less anesthesia.
• A decrease in gum tissue trauma.
• A reduction in pain and discomfort while the procedure is being done.
• Healing and recovery times are faster.
• Procedure takes less time to perform.
• A decrease in the need for prescription medications.

What You Need to Know About Diagnosing Oral Lesions

Before you can receive treatment, the type of lesion that you have must be properly diagnosed. This requires a trip to your dentist. At your appointment, the dentist will perform a thorough examination of your mouth to see if there are any bumps, lumps or other abnormalities. If necessary, your dentist will take x-rays and clinical photographs.

In the majority of cases, the lesion is easily identifiable. This is the case with canker and cold sores. However, if your dentist finds anything abnormal, he or she will take a soft tissue biopsy at the time your laser therapy is conducted. The tissue sample will then be sent off to a pathology lab for a diagnosis.

How Are Lesions of the Mouth Treated?

Before you undergo your laser therapy for oral lesions treatment, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the affected area. The dental laser will then be used to excise the lesion from the area, while preserving healthy tissue and cauterizing the area. Generally speaking, patients experience immediate pain relief after their treatment has occurred. They also experience faster healing times.

Treatment of Viral Lesions with Laser Dentistry: A Case Study

While viral lesions have typically been treated via the use of medications, an interesting case study found in Dentistry Today shows how successful laser dentistry for oral lesions from a viral infection can be.

A male patient who was 32 years old came into his dentist’s office complaining of a burning sensation in the upper part of his mouth. This sensation was negatively impacting his ability to eat, speak and sleep. The patient was diagnosed with an outbreak of herpes simplex virus.

The viral lesions were treated via the use of the Biolase Epic X diode laser. The patient felt no pain during the procedure. Once the laser treatment had been concluded, the patient was asked to return the next day.

When the patient came into the office the following day, he reported that all of his pain had subsided and that he was able to eat, speak and sleep normally. When the dentist examined the patient again, it was discovered that the viral lesions were less inflamed and had healed a great deal since the previous day.

Learn More by Contacting Konikoff Dental Associates Volvo Parkway

There’s no need to suffer from pain or discomfort caused by an oral lesion. To learn more about how laser therapy for mouth lesions can help relieve you of your problem, contact Konikoff Dental Associates Volvo Parkway. We have multiple offices serving Chesapeake. To schedule an appointment, call us today or make use of our online booking system. We look forward to hearing from you.