More than 15 million root canal procedures are performed every year. Using conventional methods, 4-6 percent of root canals fail, a relatively high rate for a dental procedure, causing patients to go through retreatment. In some cases, the tooth cannot be saved and time consuming and expensive restorations such as dental implants are required.

Clearly there's room for improvement. That's why Biolase Technology and Waterlase Dentists have teamed up to offer Waterlase Root Canal Therapy, the first advanced laser technology root canal disinfection approved by the US Food & Drug Administration.

A root canal is a treatment used to eliminate infection and save a tooth that is painful, badly decayed and infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned, disinfected and sealed.

With Waterlase Dentistry™ Root Canal Therapy endodontists (dentists who specialize in performing root canals) and general dentists can perform root canal procedures faster and more effectively than with conventional treatment methods.

Only Waterlase® combines laser light and water for fast cutting without heat, vibration, or pressure.


Heat, vibration and pressure are the primary causes of pain associated with the use of the traditional dental drill. Since Waterlase Dentistry for both hard and soft tissues (teeth and gums) does not generate heat, vibration or pressure, many dental procedures can be performed with fewer shots, less need for anesthesia, less use of the drill and fewer numb lips! In many gum procedures, Waterlase Dentistry reduces bleeding, post-operative pain, swelling and the need for pain medication.

Waterlase dentists are able to remove decay in tooth enamel (the hardest substance in the body), as well as excess bone and gum tissue precisely while leaving surrounding areas unaffected. This conserves healthy tooth structure.

The dental drill can cause hairline cracks and fractures in teeth that may lead to future dental problems. Waterlase Dentistry minimizes trauma, reducing damage to healthy portions of your tooth.

Waterlase Dentistry cavity preparations can increase bond strength of tooth-colored restorations, resulting in longer lasting fillings.

Due to its conservative, gentle cutting action and coagulating capabilities, Waterlase Dentistry performs many gum procedures such as gingivectomies and frenulectomies with little or no bleeding and less swelling after your procedure.

Since you often do not need shots or anesthesia, a Waterlase dentist can perform cavity preparations in all areas of the mouth in just one visit. This technology also gives trained Waterlase Dentists the ability to perform many procedures that were previously referred to specialists.

The Waterlase Dentistry is extremely versatile. It can be used for a wide range of hard and soft tissue procedures – from decay removal and cavity preparation to root canals, smile design, surgical procedures on gum and bone, and many others. Since your Waterlase Dentist can perform a wider range of procedures you may be able to avoid an additional trip to a specialist, saving you valuable time.

Waterlase Dentistry uses laser energy and a gentle spray of water to perform a wide range of dental procedures – without the heat, vibration and pressure associated with the dental drill. With many procedures, it's possible to use less anesthetic, and often no anesthetic at all.

Your Waterlase Dentist can often get you in and out of the dentist chair faster, since it's less likely that you'll need an injection – research shows that the vast majority of patients don't. It's nice to avoid that shot, isn't it? Not using anesthetic can allow your dentist to perform procedures that used to require more than one visit in a single appointment. Also, a Waterlase Dentist can perform procedures that once meant an additional trip to a specialist, saving you even more time.

Lasers have long been the standard of care in medicine for many surgical and cosmetic procedures such as LASIK, wrinkle and hair removal and many others. Waterlase was approved for hard tissue procedures in 1998 and since has been cleared for numerous additional dental procedures. Thousands of dentists around the world have performed thousands of procedures with less need for shots, anesthesia, drills and post-op numb lips.