(Los Angeles Times) For many, the image of a dentist's chair conjures up the whirring, grinding sound of the dreaded drill. But a few dentists are trading in the traditional drill for a quiet laser beam that has patients out of the office faster, with no discomfort or Novocaine-induced drooping lip to remind them of their visit.

Although lasers have been FDA-approved for dental applications since the 1990s, no laser equipment has yet received the American Dental Assn.'s highest endorsement, the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which indicates a product is safe and effective. For many laser applications, the ADA awaits further evidence. Meanwhile, the majority of dentists stick to tried-and-true mechanical techniques.

But some dental surgeons say it's high time to embrace the new technology. Laser beams have a number of applications in the dental clinic, they note: finding and excavating cavities, restoring a gorgeous Hollywood grin and rendering oral surgery faster and more comfortably.

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