Traditional dental treatments often involve needles, discomfort, and lengthy recovery times. Laser dentistry changes this by using focused light energy to treat soft and hard tissues with greater accuracy and minimal discomfort. This advanced technology allows for faster healing, less bleeding, and reduced anxiety for patients seeking comfortable dental care.
At Brilliant Dental Care, our team uses the Solea laser system to deliver gentle, pain-free treatments across Houston. Dr. Freeman and his team combine this cutting-edge technology with a commitment to personalized care, making your visit to our Memorial Park or Midtown office both efficient and comfortable.
What Is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry uses concentrated beams of light energy to perform various dental procedures. The laser targets specific tissues without affecting surrounding tissues, reducing trauma and promoting faster healing. Soft-tissue lasers treat gums and other delicate areas, while hard-tissue lasers can shape teeth and remove decay.
The Solea system we use at our practice operates at a unique wavelength that works on both hard and soft tissue. This versatility allows Dr. Freeman to complete multiple procedures in one visit without switching equipment or techniques.
How the Solea Laser Works
The Solea laser uses a unique wavelength of light to treat both hard and soft tissue with exceptional precision. Unlike traditional dental drills, which use mechanical force and generate heat, friction, and vibration, the Solea laser removes tooth structure and reshapes tissue with controlled light energy.
The laser operates at 9.3 microns, a wavelength that’s particularly effective for dental procedures. The FDA has cleared this CO2 dental laser system for both hard and soft tissue procedures. When the laser beam contacts tooth enamel, dentin, or soft tissue, it vaporizes a tiny amount of material with each pulse. This process happens so quickly and precisely that most patients feel little to no discomfort, eliminating the need for sedation in many cases.
Benefits of Solea Laser Dentistry
Dr. Freeman uses the Solea laser because it offers significant advantages over traditional dental techniques. One of the most notable benefits is that approximately 95% of procedures can be completed without anesthesia. This means no needles and no lingering numbing sensation after your appointment.
The laser allows for faster, more efficient treatment. Multiple cavities can often be addressed in a single visit, and the laser’s precision means less time in the chair overall. Because the Solea laser is so precise, it causes less damage to surrounding tissue than traditional methods. The laser energy also helps reduce bleeding during procedures and promotes faster healing. Many soft tissue procedures that would typically require sutures can be performed without sutures when using the Solea laser. The laser even operates much more quietly than a traditional dental drill, creating a calmer environment.
Recovery time decreases significantly with laser treatments. The laser cauterizes tissue as it works, reducing bleeding and swelling. Many patients return to normal activities immediately after their visit. The reduced trauma to tissues also means less post-treatment discomfort and fewer follow-up appointments.
Laser dentistry also reduces the need for sutures in many soft tissue procedures. The laser’s ability to seal blood vessels and sterilize the treatment area promotes faster, more comfortable healing. According to the National Library of Medicine, laser treatments offer benefits to patients and clinicians alike.
Procedures We Perform with the Solea Laser
The versatility of the Solea laser means Dr. Freeman can use it for a wide range of dental procedures:
- Cavity preparation and fillings: The laser precisely removes decay and prepares teeth for composite fillings without the need for anesthesia in most cases.
- Soft tissue procedures: Gum recontouring, frenectomies, and treatment of gum disease can be performed with minimal bleeding and faster healing.
- Crown and veneer preparation: The laser shapes teeth efficiently when preparing them for crowns or veneers.
- Pediatric dentistry: Children often respond particularly well to the laser because it eliminates the intimidating aspects of traditional dental treatment.
- Desensitization treatments: The laser can help address tooth sensitivity issues.
- Gum disease treatment: Infected gum tissue can be removed precisely, promoting better healing.
The laser’s ability to work on everything from gum tissue and dentin to enamel and bone makes it valuable for both simple and complex procedures.
Solea Sleep: Revolutionary Treatment for Snoring
Beyond traditional dental procedures, the Solea laser offers a groundbreaking solution for a common problem that affects millions: snoring. Solea Sleep uses advanced laser technology to tighten and stiffen the collagen in the soft palate, reducing the vibrations that cause snoring. The laser’s unique 9.3-micron wavelength efficiently delivers energy to deeper tissue layers that contain high concentrations of collagen without affecting superficial tissue, gently warming the tissue at the perfect depth to cause collagen to contract and increase tissue stiffness.
This remarkably simple and patient-friendly procedure takes just five minutes to complete with no anesthesia, incisions, stitches, or recovery time. Most patients report feeling little to nothing during the procedure, with some noting only a slight warming sensation. Results are often noticeable right away, with many patients reporting improved sleep quality and reduced snoring the very first night after treatment. The effects typically last 12 to 15 months, after which a simple maintenance treatment can restore results.
While Solea Sleep is highly effective for palatal snoring, it’s important to note that it is not a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. However, it can provide significant relief from snoring even for those using CPAP machines or oral appliances.
Solea Laser for Comfortable Dental Care
Children and adults alike benefit from Solea laser dentistry. For pediatric patients, the laser removes much of the fear associated with dental visits. The absence of needles and drills means children can have their cavities treated without the anxiety that often leads to dental phobia later in life. Even frenectomies, which traditionally require anesthesia and can be stressful for young patients, can be performed quickly and comfortably with the Solea laser.
For adults who have avoided the dentist due to anxiety or past negative experiences, the Solea laser offers a fresh start. When you arrive for a Solea laser procedure, you may not even need anesthesia. Most patients report feeling only slight warmth or pressure, with minimal to no discomfort. Because anesthesia often isn’t required, your appointment may be shorter than you’d expect with traditional methods. You’ll leave the office able to eat, drink, and resume your normal activities right away, without that lingering numbness.
Comparing Solea Laser to Traditional Techniques
Traditional dental drills rely on friction to remove tooth structure, which generates heat, vibration, and the characteristic whirring sound. This mechanical approach requires local anesthesia for most restorative procedures. Conventional scalpels and electrosurgery units used for soft tissue procedures cause more trauma and bleeding than the Solea laser.
The precision of laser technology results in better outcomes, with less post-operative discomfort and faster healing times. Dental lasers reduce swelling and discomfort, and shorten both the time spent in the dental chair and recovery time. For procedures that traditionally required sutures, the laser’s ability to seal tissue as it cuts often eliminates the need for stitches entirely.
How Much Does Laser Dentistry Cost?
Treatment costs vary based on the procedure complexity and your individual needs. Many insurance plans cover laser procedures, though coverage levels vary by provider. We accept Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Guardian, United Healthcare, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
For patients without insurance or those seeking additional payment flexibility, we offer the in-house Smile Advantage Plan. This membership program provides discounts on various treatments. We also work with CareCredit, Cherry, and SunBit and offer flexible monthly plans to create manageable payment arrangements that fit your budget.
Experience Needle-Free Dentistry at Brilliant Dental Care in Houston
Our commitment to providing the best possible care drives us to invest in advanced technology like the Solea laser. Dr. Freeman graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry and completed post-doctoral residency training at UTHealth School of Dentistry in Houston, where he received advanced training in general dentistry. He has extensive experience with laser dentistry and continues to stay current with the latest techniques. This dedication to technological advancement, combined with our focus on CEREC same-day crowns, digital x-rays, and other modern tools, ensures you receive efficient, effective, and comfortable dental care.
If anxiety about dental visits has kept you from getting the care you need, or if you simply want a more comfortable dental experience, the Solea laser at Brilliant Dental Care offers a better way. Dr. Freeman and our experienced team combine advanced technology with compassionate care to make your dental visits as pleasant as possible. We accept CareCredit and offer our in-house Smile Advantage Plan to make care affordable. Contact us online to learn more about needle-free, drill-free dentistry and experience how modern technology makes dental care more comfortable than you ever thought possible.
