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Healthy Teeth and Gums With Less Pain?

It’s possible with laser dentistry.
By D Partner Studio |
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If you have been putting off dental work that you need because you fear it will be painful, go ahead and schedule the appointment. And when you do, ask if the procedure can be performed with a dental laser. For many dental procedures, laser dentistry is not only a more effective treatment solution but a less painful one as well. Mark Sowell, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., A.A.C.D., uses a variety of lasers in his boutique, concierge dental practice, Sensational Smiles, for a variety of procedures, particularly those involving the gums. “Whatever we have traditionally done with a scalpel blade, we can now do with lasers—a much gentler treatment approach,” Dr. Sowell says.

Laser dentistry is noninvasive, which means patients can usually receive multiple treatments in one visit. Dental lasers also mean there will be no sutures or surgery, little or no downtime after treatment, faster healing, reduced risk of infection, and a reduction in swelling and bleeding. “I like to call it the latest in the ‘non-cutting-edge dental technology,” Dr. Sowell says. “In many cases, lasers completely replace the older cutting methods of periodontal and oral surgery. We can also treat a lot of early gum disease more effectively than we can with typical modalities, like scaling or root planing alone. Often with those modalities, the biofilm on the gums is never completely removed. The bacteria population is reduced, but remnants remain. A laser will remove all the biofilm that accumulates—the cause of gum.”

Whatever we have traditionally done…we can now do with lasers—a much gentler treatment approach

Dr. Sowell

Dr. Sowell also uses lasers for bone and gum grafts, drill-free dental fillings, gum lifts and reshaping, TMJ therapy, and teeth whitening. “We have also used lasers to decrease pain post-surgery, such as after having wisdom teeth removed or after periodontal surgery, implant placement, or a bone graft,” Dr. Sowell says. “Lasers speed healing. Patients come in once a week after their surgery for low-energy laser therapy. It’s a wonderful tool for dentists because it reduces pain for patients during and after the procedures that typically cause the most discomfort. The healing is accelerated so patients experience better results.”

Everyone is a candidate for laser therapy, but not all dentists are trained in using lasers for dental procedures. A dentist must go through certification training to use the lasers, and the State Board routinely inspects the equipment for safety.

Dr. Sowell is among the few dentists in the Dallas area trained in laser dentistry and uses the most modern, state-of-the-art lasers in his Plano practice:

Biolase Epic Diode Laser.

This innovative laser is often used to treat periodontal disease and for bone and gum grafts. This laser is often commonly used for drill-free dental fillings, gum lifts and reshaping, TMJ therapy, and teeth whitening. The Biolase is gentle on the tissues and much less painful than traditional dental procedures.

WaterLase iPlus Laser.

Dr. Sowell also offers The WaterLase iPlus laser, the most advanced and gentle dental laser on the market, which offers a wide range of common dental applications. WaterLase iPlus delivers both speed and precision. The high-power laser interacts with water droplets to clean out debris and bacteria from both the gums and teeth without the vibration and heat of a drill. It acts like a miniature power washer flushing out the disease, Dr. Sowell says. The result is noninvasive cavity removal and micro-restorative dentistry.

Dr. Sowell says patients have told him they have avoided going to the dentist because they feared the sound and feeling of dental drills. “With laser dentistry, the sound, vibrations, and pressure of a drill is eliminated,” he says. “Removing the drill from your treatment also removes the emotional stress it causes. I use dental lasers in almost every phase of patient treatment to ensure conservative, comfortable, rapid healing This minimizes the need for anesthesia, allowing busy people to get dental treatments in fewer visits, as well as causing less interruption of their ability to speak and chew during the business day. Patients who receive laser dental treatments tell me they can feel the procedure somewhat, but it’s not painful, especially after we put on a topical numbing gel. Most patients, and dentists, prefer laser dental treatments because they are more comfortable and promote faster healing.”


If you are interested in laser dental care and ready to achieve the head-turning smile of your dreams, consult with Mark Sowell, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., A.A.C.D with Sensational Smiles in Plano. For nearly three decades, Dr. Sowell has been the name to know when it comes to comprehensive modern dental care. He is one of 40 dentists worldwide to have achieved mastership status from The Academy of General Dentistry and to earn accredited membership with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He has been named among the Best Dentists in Dallas in D Magazine, a Super Dentist by Texas Monthly, and a Best Dentist in America by Woodward/White. He is a visiting faculty member of Spear Education and has achieved success through a lifetime of continuous learning and teaching. To learn more and book a complimentary consultation, visit https://www.smilesbysowell.com/our-office/.

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D Partner Studio

D Partner Studio

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