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by Dr Alexandra Davies, Admire Dentistry, Arana Hills, QLD
The MLS laser system is a non-invasive treatment that uses light energy to stimulate cellular activity. It promotes tissue repair, reduces inflammation and is very effective for pain relief. It’s a dual wavelength laser of 808 and 905 nanometers.
What’s good about it
I initially purchased this laser because I deal with a lot of TMD and craniofacial pain. It comes with an extraoral and intraoral head. I use it in conjunction with appliance therapy and some physical therapy.
When a patient is overstimulated and wound up, doing manual releases isn’t an option because it’s too painful for them. I lightly glide the laser over their skin and pain relief happens very quickly. It provides instant relief in the short term, but weekly treatments offer lasting relief.
I have some patients who struggle to open their mouth very wide for impressions or digital scanning. Five minutes of laser relaxes all their muscles, and I can do what I need to do. I bring it into the surgery when an appointment is longer than an hour. A little laser beforehand and a little at the end of the appointment makes a huge difference. I’ve also started using it after extractions to speed up healing and reduce post-op sensitivity.
I have a patient who used to take valium before her appointments, even if it was just a check and clean. She simply couldn’t handle the muscle pain afterwards, but the valium would wipe her out all day. I used the laser on her for five minutes before the appointment and five minutes at the end. She was completely comfortable and undertook future check-up and cleans without valium. Being able to provide treatment without her writing off the whole day was a big moment for me.
What’s not so good
This machine is a significant investment, as is common with most lasers. It’s important to weigh the cost against how frequently you’ll use it and the value it will bring. That said, it has proven to be a worthwhile investment for our team.
