Check Your Health: Dentistry without the pain and fear

(KUTV) The dentist is often associated with pain, fear, and anxiety – especially for children. However, a new type of technology called a Solea Laser is improving the dental experience for many patients.

“It’s the first of its kind that is approved for both hard and soft tissue by the FDA. In pediatrics, our main use is doing fillings,” says Dr. Erik Rooklidge, DDS with Dentistry for Children Sandy.

Dr. Rooklidge says the carbon dioxide laser lets him cut the tooth, similar to the drill, while numbing it at the same time.

“It allows us to do dental fillings, soft tissue procedures, without having to numb them or give them a shot,” says Dr. Rooklidge.

This means not only does a patient avoid the pain of a shot, they also don’t have to go home with a numb lip or tongue. At Dentistry for Children Sandy the cost of a laser filling is the same as a traditional filling, and is more time efficient because dentists can perform multiple fillings, in multiple areas of the mouth, during the same appointment.

“Procedures typically go a little quicker with this because we don’t have to wait for the mouth to get numb,” says DR. Rooklidge.

Dr. Rooklidge’s goal is to make going to the dentist not necessarily enjoyable, but a positive experience for patients and believes this laser is a big step in making that happen.

“We want to do whatever we can to make the patient experience a positive one,” says Dr. Rooklidge.

To find a dentist near you, go to www.ilovesolea.com.

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