Advanced Laser Dentistry in Utica, NY
Advanced Technology. Greater Precision. Personalized Dental Care.
At Sauquoit Creek Dental, Dr. Ninel Wendover combines advanced dental technology with individualized care to provide patients with a wider range of treatment options.
Our practice utilizes two specialized dental laser systems: Solea® and PerioLase®. Each serves a different purpose, allowing us to address certain cavities, soft-tissue concerns, periodontal disease, and complications affecting dental implants.
From laser-assisted fillings to advanced gum disease treatment, our approach focuses on providing precise, effective care while considering your comfort and long-term oral health.
Conveniently located in Utica, NY, Sauquoit Creek Dental welcomes patients from Sauquoit, New Hartford, and surrounding Mohawk Valley communities.
Two advanced laser systems. Specialized treatment options. One commitment to exceptional patient care.
What Is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry uses concentrated light energy to perform specific dental procedures.
Depending on the type of laser, its wavelength, and the treatment being performed, laser technology can be used on hard tissues, such as teeth, or soft tissues, including the gums and other structures inside the mouth.
In appropriately selected procedures, laser dentistry may offer advantages such as:
Greater precision when treating targeted areas.
Less mechanical vibration than traditional dental instruments.
Reduced bleeding during certain soft-tissue procedures.
Less discomfort for some patients.
Minimally invasive alternatives to certain conventional techniques.
Reduced need for local anesthesia in some procedures.
Not all dental lasers perform the same functions, and laser treatment is not appropriate for every dental condition.
Dr. Wendover uses two specialized laser systems, allowing her to select technology based on the procedure and each patient's individual needs.
Our Advanced Dental Laser Systems
PerioLase® — Advanced Periodontal & Dental Implant Care
Healthy gums and supporting bone are essential for maintaining strong natural teeth and stable dental implants.
When periodontal disease develops, inflammation and bacterial infection can damage the tissues and bone supporting your teeth. Similar complications can occur around dental implants.
At Sauquoit Creek Dental, Dr. Wendover uses the PerioLase MVP-7 laser system for two specialized periodontal treatment protocols: LANAP® and LAPIP™.
LANAP® — Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure
LANAP is a specialized laser-based treatment protocol designed to manage periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease that can damage the structures supporting your teeth.
Using PerioLase technology as part of a comprehensive treatment approach, Dr. Wendover can address diseased periodontal tissues and bacterial contamination.
For appropriately selected patients, LANAP may offer a less invasive alternative to certain traditional periodontal surgical procedures.
Potential benefits may include:
Reduced bleeding and swelling in some cases.
Preservation of healthy surrounding tissue.
A treatment approach designed to support periodontal healing.
Management of periodontal infection and inflammation.
An alternative to certain conventional gum surgery techniques.
Successful periodontal care also depends on ongoing home care, professional maintenance, and management of individual risk factors.
LAPIP™ — Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure
Dental implants can develop inflammation and infection in the surrounding tissues. When this condition involves progressive loss of supporting bone, it is known as peri-implantitis.
LAPIP is a specialized laser-based protocol designed to help manage peri-implantitis in appropriately selected cases.
Using PerioLase technology, Dr. Wendover can address affected tissues and bacterial contamination around existing dental implants as part of an individualized treatment plan.
Although not every compromised implant can be saved, early evaluation and appropriate treatment may improve the opportunity to preserve an existing implant.
Dr. Wendover has dedicated significant time to continuing education in periodontal disease and treatment, reflecting her commitment to helping patients protect their natural teeth, supporting tissues, and dental implants.
Learn more about LANAP and LAPIP on our dedicated laser periodontal treatment page.
Solea® — Advanced Hard- & Soft-Tissue Laser Dentistry
A Different Approach to Everyday Dental Care
Our Solea dental laser is designed for a variety of hard- and soft-tissue procedures.
Unlike PerioLase, which we use for specialized periodontal treatment protocols, Solea allows Dr. Wendover to incorporate laser technology into selected routine, cosmetic, and restorative dental procedures.
Depending on the treatment, Solea may reduce the need for conventional drilling, minimize vibration, and sometimes eliminate the need for local anesthetic injections.
This can make certain dental visits more comfortable and convenient, particularly for patients who feel anxious about traditional dental procedures.
Solea Laser Fillings
For many patients, the thought of having a cavity filled brings to mind needles, drilling, and lingering numbness afterward.
Solea offers a different approach.
For suitable cavities, the laser can remove decayed tooth structure and prepare the tooth for a filling without the same mechanical vibration associated with conventional drilling.
Many laser-assisted fillings can be performed without local anesthesia, although the need for numbing depends on the location and extent of decay, the procedure, and each patient's individual comfort.
When anesthesia is not needed, patients can avoid the lingering numbness that often follows a traditional filling appointment.
Solea for Restorative Dentistry
Solea may also be incorporated into selected restorative procedures, including certain aspects of tooth preparation and soft-tissue management.
Dr. Wendover may use Solea during appropriate crown preparation procedures, together with conventional instruments when necessary.
Our practice also offers CEREC same-day crown technology, allowing many patients to receive a custom-designed ceramic crown in a single appointment.
By combining advanced restorative technology with individualized treatment planning, we strive to make dental care more efficient while preserving healthy tooth structure whenever possible.
Solea for Soft-Tissue Procedures
Solea can be used for a variety of procedures involving the gums and other soft tissues inside the mouth.
Depending on a patient's individual needs, these may include:
Tongue-tie releases.
Selected lip-tie releases.
Gum contouring and reshaping.
Soft-tissue adjustments associated with restorative dentistry.
Management of certain excess or interfering soft tissues.
Other appropriate minor oral soft-tissue procedures.
Laser technology can help provide precise tissue treatment and control bleeding during certain procedures.
Dr. Wendover will evaluate your condition to determine whether laser treatment is appropriate.
Laser Tongue-Tie Treatment
Supporting Oral Function with Advanced Technology
A tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the band of tissue beneath the tongue restricts its movement.
In some individuals, a restrictive tongue-tie may interfere with certain oral functions, including tongue mobility, feeding, or speech-related movements.
Not every tongue-tie causes problems or requires treatment.
When a restriction is contributing to a functional concern, a procedure called a frenotomy or frenectomy may be recommended.
Using the Solea laser, Dr. Wendover can release restrictive tissue in appropriate cases.
Potential benefits of laser-assisted treatment may include precise tissue management, reduced bleeding, and less need for sutures compared with certain conventional techniques.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determine whether treatment is necessary and whether collaboration with another healthcare professional would be beneficial.
Learn more about Solea Laser Dentistry and our available hard- and soft-tissue procedures.
Benefits of Advanced Laser Dentistry
Technology Designed with Patients in Mind
Laser dentistry offers several potential advantages, depending on the procedure and each patient's individual circumstances.
Greater Precision
Laser technology allows Dr. Wendover to target specific areas while limiting unnecessary disruption to surrounding healthy tissues.
Improved Patient Comfort
Certain laser procedures may involve less vibration, pressure, or postoperative discomfort than conventional treatment methods.
Less Need for Anesthesia in Some Cases
Some Solea procedures can be completed without local anesthetic injections, allowing patients to avoid lingering numbness.
Reduced Bleeding During Certain Procedures
Laser technology can help control bleeding while treating appropriate soft tissues.
Minimally Invasive Treatment Options
Specialized protocols such as LANAP and LAPIP may provide alternatives to certain conventional surgical approaches.
Efficient Treatment
Laser technology can streamline selected procedures and improve treatment convenience.
Preservation of Healthy Tissue
Precise laser application may help minimize unnecessary disruption to surrounding healthy structures.
The benefits of laser dentistry vary depending on the procedure and individual patient. Some treatments still require anesthesia, conventional instruments, or other approaches.
Is Laser Dentistry Right for You?
Although laser dentistry offers exciting possibilities, it is not the best option for every dental condition.
The most appropriate treatment depends on factors such as:
The type and extent of the dental problem.
Whether hard or soft tissue is involved.
The location and severity of the condition.
Your overall oral and medical health.
Your individual treatment goals and comfort needs.
Dr. Wendover will carefully evaluate your condition and recommend an approach suited to your needs.
Our priority is always providing appropriate, effective care—not simply using technology for its own sake.
Dr. Wendover's Commitment to Continuing Education
Advanced Training. Thoughtful Technology. Personalized Care.
Dr. Wendover believes exceptional dentistry requires a commitment to lifelong learning.
Her extensive continuing education in periodontal disease and advanced treatment approaches reflects her dedication to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care.
By investing in both PerioLase and Solea technology, she has expanded the range of treatment options available to patients at Sauquoit Creek Dental.
From treating cavities and performing soft-tissue procedures to managing advanced periodontal disease, these systems allow her to offer different approaches tailored to individual patient needs.
We believe advanced technology is most valuable when paired with careful diagnosis, clinical judgment, and genuine attention to patient comfort.
Experience Advanced Laser Dentistry in Utica, NY
Whether you need a filling, a restorative procedure, a tongue-tie evaluation, or treatment for periodontal disease, laser dentistry may offer an option worth exploring.
At Sauquoit Creek Dental, we're proud to combine specialized technology with Dr. Wendover's commitment to continuing education and individualized treatment.
Advanced technology. Personalized treatment. A healthier smile.
Contact Sauquoit Creek Dental to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Ninel Wendover and discover whether laser dentistry is right for you.