Should Pregnant Patients Undergo Laser Dentistry Procedures?
By Richard Klein | Published on April 5, 2011 | 0 Comments
One of the many benefits of laser dentistry is that it allows patients to undergo dental procedure even while they are pregnant. According to Smithtown, NY, dentist Dr. Richard Klein, lasers are just as safe for pregnant patients as they are for anyone else.
For anyone who is pregnant now or is thinking about becoming pregnant in the future, this information is great news. As Dr. Klein explains, pregnancy can be an especially difficult time for many patients, since many traditional dental procedures have been deemed “unsafe” for patients who are expecting.
The reason why certain procedures have been deemed unsafe by the American Dental Association, however, is because patients oftentimes must undergo local anesthesia before they can have these procedures done. Medical practitioners recommend that patients avoid local anesthesia while they are pregnant, which presents a problem for many women who need to have certain types of periodontal work done at some point during their nine months of pregnancy. Thankfully, Dr. Klein says that laser dental procedures generally do not require anesthesia, and are therefore seen as a safer alternative for pregnant patients.
Speaking from his office at Now Dental of Suffolk in Smithtown, NY, Dr. Klein is a dentist who says that the laser he prefers using when treating pregnant patients is a hard tissue laser, known as an erbium laser. Erbium lasers do not require anesthesia, which is an important point for people to remember.
The lack of local anesthesia that is needed when performing dental procedures using lasers is not the only benefit. According to the Smithtown, NY, dentist, laser dentistry is also beneficial to patients who may have a high level of bacteria in their mouths.
Among pregnant patients, one of the chief concerns is bacteremia. Bacteremia, which is the presence of bacteria in the blood, can be very dangerous for patients who are pregnant. However, Dr. Klein says that soft tissue lasers are actually able to kill a good percentage of the bacteria in the mouth, thereby preventing that bacteria from getting into the body through a patient’s blood. Therefore, soft tissue lasers are another great dental treatment option for patients who are pregnant.
Dr. Klein says that research has shown that some periodontal issues have been associated with the death of fetuses. This information has been substantiated at this point, and it is part of the reason why pregnant women should be especially vigilant about maintaining their oral health. However, Dr. Klein also notes that information regarding the low birth weight of babies whose mothers had periodontal problems has now been shown to not be statistically correct.
Overall, Dr. Klein says, women should know that having laser dental procedures done using a hard tissue laser while they are pregnant is completely safe. Additionally, using a soft tissue laser can help a dentist get rid of certain types of dangerous oral bacteria without putting the pregnant patient at any increased risk for bacteremia.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.