Antioch Dentist First with LaserBy David VantressStaff Writer

Over the past few decades, laser technology has found its way into more and more aspects of our daily lives.

Now, you can add a visit to the dentist to that ever-growing list.

Dr. Robert Sven, an Antioch dentist, recently began using the Centauri erbium yag laser in his practice. The laser, for some patients, can take the place of the much-hated drill and all but cut out the need for anesthesia.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the laser for use. It operates by channeling laser light through a pencil-like hand piece held by the dentist. The dentist, assistant, and patient all have to wear eye protection to guard against the light from the laser.

No Drilling

"The laser, combined with a fine stream of air and water, excites the water molecules in a cavity," Sven said, "causing a 'microexplosion' which loosens the bad material and makes it easier to remove. The process is somewhat similar to sandblasting." 

FDA officials approved the laser for general use after reviewing a number of studies done by the laser’s manufacturer, Premier Laser Systems of Irvine, California. In one study, more than 500 teeth were “zapped” with no damage to the nerves or blood supply to the teeth. Another study, according to the FDA, found that fewer patients treated with the laser would need anesthesia.

And in addition to making things more comfortable for the patient, the laser helps preserve healthy tooth tissue because it cuts more precisely than any drill can.

First In State

The laser in use at Sven’s office is the first of its kind in Illinois.

As he prepared the laser to work on a patient on a recent Friday afternoon, Sven said, "Response to the new gadget has been positive. The patients seem to like it. Everyone I’ve used it on so far has approved of its use.”

One of the main benefits of the laser, according to Sven, is that it helps make a visit to the dentist a more comfortable experience for patients.

“Patient comfort is very important to us,” Sven said. “And we’ll do all that we can to make it a more comfortable, pleasant experience.”

Smaller Is Better

"The new laser works best," Sven said, "on smaller cavities, those that are in their early stages. It can’t be used to remove old fillings or larger cavities."

“This is one more reason for people to come in regularly, to catch cavities early, before they snowball,” Sven said.

Virginia Kurowski on Antioch, a long time patient of Sven’s, was getting the laser treatment for the first time. She agreed to try it after Sven explained the procedure to her.

After the 15-minute procedure to put in a couple of fillings, Kurowski said she felt much better than after a usual visit. She didn’t have to have her mouth deadened, and she didn’t have to listen to that incessant, frightening whirring noise of a drill or feel it painful vibrations on her teeth.

“There wasn’t much discomfort,” Korowski said. “I’ll definitely get this done again in the future.”

It’s that kind of reaction Sven is looking for, and he hopes that as the word gets around about the new, relatively painless way to get your teeth worked on, more people will begin to put aside their long-held fears of going to the dentist.

The erbium yag laser works in tandem with another laser that has been in use in Sven’s office for several years. An argon laser is used to help apply the bonding material that is put in with fillings.

The advent of laser technology is just one of the sea of changes taking place in the field of dentistry these days, according to Sven. Another advance is the use of computer generated X rays, which reduce the amount of radiation used on an average patient by at least 90 percent.

The new way of doing X rays saves time and money: the image is available for viewing in about seven seconds. And the computer X rays can’t degrade over time like a conventional X ray would.

More than 200 dentists around the state are using the new X-ray procedure.  Sven said, “It’s just one more way that the practice of dentistry is moving into the 21st century.”