Laser dentistry for oral lesions in Alexandria, Virginia

A laser dentistry treatment can quickly eliminate your oral lesion, alleviate your pain, and help you return to your daily routine in as little as one treatment session. There's no more mess with home remedies, chemicals, medications, or topical creams that take weeks to be effective. Continue reading to learn more about this innovative aspect of dentistry.

What are the most common types of oral lesions?

Most of the lesions that occur in the oral cavity are harmless, but a few merit immediate attention. The most commonly experienced types of oral lesions include:

Canker sores

Canker sores are medically known as aphthous ulcers and are typically harmless. However, some can be concerning, particularly if they don't heal within two weeks. If you have had a canker sore for two weeks and it shows little or no signs of healing, call your dentist without delay.

Cold sores

Cold sores are usually caused by the HSV, or herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2. They usually present as fluid-filled blisters on or around the mouth and will usually self-resolve within three weeks. Some individuals experience bouts of HSV lesions more frequently than others.

Hemangiomas

A hemangioma is a birthmark that can occur on any part of the body, although it's most commonly found on the back, neck, face, or scalp. It's bright red and rubbery-like in appearance because it's an accumulation of blood vessels. On rare occasions, one will develop in the oral cavity.

HPV

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, or STD. It's widespread in the United States and can be responsible for the onset of oral cancer, which is rapidly increasing. More than 100 types of the human papillomavirus exist, and several of its subtypes can affect the oral cavity. Although the HPV lesion isn't considered cancerous, it's deemed to be precancerous because it encourages normal cells to change into abnormal cells. Therefore, it should be removed as soon as possible. Usually, an HPV lesion is accompanied by hoarseness, earaches, difficulty swallowing, a sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. If you have an HPV lesion, you shouldn't ignore it.

Is the laser oral lesions treatment beneficial?

A laser dentistry treatment for oral lesions has many benefits, such as the following:

• Decreased trauma to the gums
• Faster healing than traditional methods
• Reduced discomfort or pain during the procedure
• Faster recovery time
• Reduced need for anesthetics
• Reduced need for painkillers and the subsequent addiction
• Reduced potential interaction with other medications

Should I consult a dentist or a doctor for my oral lesions diagnosis?

If you have a problematic oral lesion, your dentist can diagnose and treat it. When you come in for your consultation, your dentist will visually inspect the soft tissues of your mouth, such as your cheeks, gums, lips, palate, and tongue, for bumps, lumps, or any other abnormality. Depending on the result, you may need to have clinical photographs taken or a biopsy or an x-ray. We usually only take a biopsy if your Alexandria dentist notices anything suspicious, and the biopsy is done at the same time as your laser treatment.

What does the treatment process involve?

When you come to the Alexandria office for your treatment, your dentist will visually assess your soft oral tissues such as your cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and palate for irregularities such as bumps, lumps, or anything else. Depending on the result, you may need clinical photographs or an x-ray. If your Alexandria dentist notices suspicious tissue or abnormalities, then we may take a tissue biopsy and send it to a pathology lab. Usually, we do this in conjunction with your laser treatment.

Do any case studies exist for the laser dentistry process?

The peer-reviewed magazine Dentistry Today reported on a 32-year-old man who presented with an HSV outbreak that resulted in an oral lesion that was negatively impacting his life. He had difficulty with eating, sleeping, and speaking. His dentist treated the lesion with a Biolase® Epic X diode laser, and the patient reported feeling a warm sensation but no burning or discomfort. He was scheduled for a follow-up treatment the next day. However, when he returned the following day, the lesion and surrounding area showed significant improvement, and no further treatment was needed.

What's the best way to learn more about laser dentistry for oral lesions?

If you need oral lesions treatment, then call Dental Associates of Northern Virginia - Pinecrest at (703) 940-1886, and we can help you. If you'd like to learn more about this innovative dental treatment for all types of oral lesions, then call us. We're happy to answer all your questions and make an appointment for you. Since we have several offices in the Alexandria area, we're sure to have one that's convenient for you. Call us today. You'll be glad you did.