August 19, 2009 — SPRINGFIELD, MO — At Barnett-Davis Dental Group, a Springfield, Missouri dentistry practice, laser-assisted dentistry has become a part of routine procedures due to its inherent benefits. Drs. Barnett and Davis utilize several different types of lasers in their state-of–the-art dental facility. Lasers assist in cavity removal, surgical procedures, whitening, periodontal (gum) therapy, cavity detection and the hardening of bonded tooth-colored filling material. Patients appreciate the many advantages of laser-assisted dentistry including less need for anesthesia, less discomfort following procedures and less noise since the need for a dental drill is minimized. But, the dentists at Barnett-Davis Dental Group have found that the greatest advantage in using dental lasers is the elimination of a very small problem: bacteria.

Though microscopic, bacteria are a major factor for dentists to consider when treating the mouth. WebMD.com lists several potential dangers when bacteria inadvertently enter the bloodstream following a routine dental procedure. Complications could include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, and premature birth.
“There are billions of bacteria cells in the mouth,” said Dr. Tracy Davis. “These bacteria are normal and are essential to the digestive process, but when bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream, there is a risk of injury to the body. However, thanks to dental lasers, when we treat dental disease with laser-assisted procedures, we reduce the bacteria count in the oral cavity from billions to a couple hundred. This virtually eliminates the possibility of complications of bacteria entering the bloodstream.”

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental lasers alone do not reduce the bacteria levels in the mouth. However, as a tool used in conjunction with bacterial irrigant, lasers enhance the success of bacteria reduction in the oral cavity.

In addition to bacteria reduction, laser therapy provides several other advantages. According to www.yourdentistryguide.com, dental lasers cause little discomfort to patients, which allows dentists to use less anesthesia; facilitates faster healing and tissue regeneration; and damage to non-infected tissue is minimized thanks to the accuracy of dental lasers.

Dental lasers have the ability to greatly reduce bleeding and actually promote faster healing. “I appreciate the precise control I have with the laser during surgical and operative procedures. The laser is so precise and so accurate; it pinpoints the decayed area and does not affect the healthy tissue. This allows me to be much more conservative and the risk for serious complications to the body is greatly reduced,” said Dr. Marc Barnett of Barnett-Davis Dental Group.

Lasers are not new. Doctors have performed intricate and sensitive surgical procedures in the fields of ophthalmology, neurosurgery, ear-nose & throat (ENT), and dermatology for more than 25 years. “Dental lasers are safe and effective,” said Springfield, Missouri dentist Dr. Kelly Barnett. “With the assistance of dental lasers, periodontal (gum) therapy, cavity removal, biopsies and other surgical procedures are more accurate procedures with greatly decreased levels of discomfort for patients.”

Before being treated for dental problems, patients should ask around about the benefits of laser therapy said Dr. Marc Barnett. “There are many benefits to this technology. If you hate anesthesia, pain, or the scraping sound of some of the tools we use, laser treatment is a great method to keep the mouth healthy without worry.”

Barnett-Davis Dental Group has three laser-certified general dentists and three periodontal-laser certified hygienists that are trained to operate and utilize dental lasers for many different types of dental procedures. This general dentistry practice is also a leader in Springfield, Missouri dental implants and other cosmetic services such as orthodontics.

Learn More
If you would like more information about dental lasers or the services performed at Barnett-Davis Dental Group’s Springfield, Missouri dentistry practice, please visit their Web site: http://www.barnettdavisdental.com/ or call (417) 581-3600.for a free consultation.

About the Doctors at Barnett-Davis Dental Group
Drs. Marc and Kelly Barnett have practiced dentistry in Ozark since 1984. Kelly graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The University of Kansas and Marc graduated Magna Cum Laude from William Jewell College. They both graduated “with distinction” (in the top 10 percent) from the University of Missouri Dental School in Kansas City.
After graduating, Kelly taught as a professor of clinical dentistry in Kansas City and Marc took extra training in a General Practice Residency at the V.A. Hospital in Kansas City.

Kelly served as the first female president of the Greater Springfield Dental Society and has been a delegate to the Missouri Dental Association. She is vice president of the Board of the OTC hygiene and dental assisting school. Marc serves on the Children’s Smile Center board in Ozark to treat under-privileged children.
Family ties and small town values brought Marc and Kelly to the Ozarks in 1984. Marc practiced dentistry in Nixa and Kelly maintained a solo practice in Ozark for 17 years. In the fall of 2001, they combined their efforts and expertise into one modern, high-tech dental office in Ozark.

Marc and Kelly live in Ozark with their children, Tish and Burke.
Originally from Conway, Missouri, Dr. Tracy Davis moved to the Springfield area in 2004 to be closer to family. She graduated “with distinction” from the University of Missouri School of Dentistry in Kansas City. Tracy has received national recognition as a dental researcher.

Tracy and her husband, Matthew, have been married since 1997. They live in Ozark with their four children: Ethan; twins Elijah and Isabella; and Owen.
Tracy loves working with children and knows how to make them feel comfortable at the Ozark dental office.

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