Let’s answer the question you actually want to ask.
“Is a laser going to hurt me?”
“Is this safe, or is it too new?”
“Why would my dentist use a laser instead of a scalpel?”
Fair questions. You should absolutely ask them.
The short answer is yes, laser dentistry is safe when performed by a trained professional. The FDA has approved dental lasers for over two decades. And at Chapel Hill Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. James Furgurson and Dr. Nathan White use laser technology every week because it’s better for patients.
Let me explain exactly what that means for you.
What Actually Is a Dental Laser?
Think of it this way. A dental laser delivers a concentrated beam of light energy. That light can cut, reshape, or vaporize tissue with incredible precision.
We use two main types in our Chapel Hill office:
- Soft tissue lasers: For gums, cheek tissue, and tongue procedures
- Hard tissue lasers: For teeth and bone (less common, but available)
The key difference between a laser and a traditional scalpel? A laser seals blood vessels and nerve endings as it cuts. That means less bleeding, less pain, and faster healing.
Dr. Furgurson, a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) with over 500 hours of advanced training, puts it this way: “I switched to laser for many procedures because my patients leave happier. They’re not sore for days. They don’t need as much numbing. That’s not theory – that’s what I see in my chair every single day.”
The Specific Laser We Use (And Why It Matters)
Our office uses the LiteTouch dental laser. It’s an FDA-approved, soft-tissue laser designed specifically for dentistry.
Here’s what that means for you:
- No scalpel: We don’t cut your gums with a metal blade
- No stitches: The laser seals as it goes
- Minimal bleeding: Most patients see just a little spotting
- Less numbing: Many laser procedures need little to no anesthesia
- Faster healing: Days, not weeks
We use the LiteTouch laser for:
- Gum disease treatment: Removing infected tissue without cutting healthy gums
- Gum reshaping: Fixing a “gummy smile” with no scalpel
- Exposing implants: Precise, minimal discomfort
- Frenectomies: Releasing a tongue-tie in infants or adults with virtually no bleeding
Is It Safer Than Traditional Dental Surgery?
Let’s compare.
Traditional gum surgery:
- Scalpel incisions
- Bleeding that requires gauze and pressure
- Sutures (stitches) that need removal later
- Pain and swelling for a week or more
- Risk of infection from an open wound
Laser gum treatment with LiteTouch:
- No scalpel
- Minimal bleeding (laser seals as it goes)
- No stitches
- Mild soreness for a day or two
- Laser sterilizes the area, lowering infection risk
Which sounds safer to you?
Dr. White, who teaches at the UNC School of Dentistry as an adjunct associate professor, has seen both sides. “I was trained on scalpels. Lasers are simply a better tool for certain procedures. It’s not experimental – it’s standard of care at this point.”
Are There Risks? (Honest Answer)
Yes. Any medical procedure has risks. But with laser dentistry, they’re minimal and almost always less than traditional surgery.
Potential side effects include:
- Mild sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days
- Slight gum soreness (like after a deep cleaning)
- Very rare: temporary gum irritation
Compare that to traditional surgery risks:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Swelling that lasts a week
- Scarring
- Stitches that can come loose
The laser is objectively gentler.
The one real risk? Eye damage from the laser beam. That’s why every patient and every staff member wears special protective eyewear during laser procedures. We never skip this. It’s non-negotiable.
What Procedures Can a Laser Do Safely?
At our office, we use the LiteTouch laser for:
Gum Disease Treatment
We remove infected tissue and bacteria from below the gum line. No cutting or stitches. Most patients are back to normal the next day. To learn more about this treatment, visit Periodontal Therapy.
Gummy Smile Correction
If your teeth look short because too much gum tissue covers them, we can reshape the gum line with a laser. One visit. No numbness needed.
Frenectomy (tongue-tie release)
For infants struggling to nurse or adults with restricted tongue movement. The laser takes 30 seconds. Babies can nurse immediately after.
Crown Lengthening
Preparing a tooth for a crown involves reshaping the gum tissue. Precise, fast, and comfortable.
Not every procedure is better with a laser. For deep cavities or removing old metal fillings, traditional drills are still the right tool. We don’t use lasers just to be trendy. We use them when they genuinely help you.
How Do You Know Your Dentist Is Qualified?
This is the most important part. A laser is only as safe as the person holding it.
Before you let any dentist use a laser on you, ask these questions:
- “How many hours of laser training have you completed?”
- “Which laser do you use, and why?”
- “How many of these procedures have you done?”
At our office, you’ll get straight answers.
Dr. Furgurson has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education, including advanced training with the LiteTouch laser. He’s a Fellow of the AGD, a distinction earned by only a small percentage of dentists nationwide. That means he doesn’t just own a laser. He knows how to use it safely.
What Patients Say About Laser Dentistry at Our Chapel Hill Office
We don’t expect you to take our word for it. Here’s what one of our patients shared after laser gum treatment:
“I was terrified of gum surgery. I’d put it off for years. Dr. Furgurson said, ‘Let me show you the laser.’ I didn’t feel a thing. No shots. No stitches. I walked out and went back to work. Why didn’t anyone tell me this existed sooner?”
That’s not an unusual story. It’s the norm.
Ready to See If Laser Dentistry Is Right for You?
You don’t have to wonder anymore. Come see your dentists in Chapel Hill and the LiteTouch laser in action.
New patients in Chapel Hill, Durham, Cary, or anywhere in the Triangle can call us at 919-736-6175, or request an appointment online.
We’re at 501 Eastowne Dr STE 150, right off I-40 and 15-501. Your first visit is 90 minutes, with plenty of time to ask any questions you have about laser safety, see the equipment, and decide what’s right for you.
Stop being afraid of dental procedures you don’t fully understand. Let us show you how different and safe modern dentistry can be.