Does laser dentistry hurt?

Most Solea procedures are completed without anesthesia and patients report feeling little to nothing. There is no heat, vibration, or pressure involved, which are the main things that make traditional dental work uncomfortable.

Do I still need a shot with the Solea laser?

In most cases, no. Solea is specifically designed to reduce or eliminate the need for anesthetic injections for both tooth and soft tissue procedures. Dr. Beveridge or Dr. Beveridge Cabuling will let you know ahead of time if your procedure is an exception.

Laser Dentistry in San Jose, CA

Experience Cutting-Edge Treatment With The Solea Laser at Beveridge Dental

Solea laser dentistry machine used in San Jose dentist office

San Jose, CA Dentist – Home » Laser Dentistry

No Drills. No Needles. No Anxiety.

Most people who dread the dentist can trace it back to two things: the drill and the needle. At Beveridge Dental in San Jose, we’ve taken both out of the picture for most procedures. We use the Solea dental laser, one of the most advanced systems available in dentistry today, to perform a wide range of treatments quietly, precisely, and in most cases without anesthetic.

Solea’s CO2 laser wavelength allows Dr. Stephen Beveridge and Dr. Erin Beveridge Cabuling to work on both teeth and gums with a level of precision that a drill simply can’t match. Most patients feel little to nothing during treatment and walk out without that heavy, numb feeling that follows a traditional injection. If fear of the drill or needle has been keeping you from taking care of your teeth, a visit with us will feel very different from what you’re used to.

Call Us: (408) 267-2303 Request an Appointment Online

What Is The Solea LAser?

Solea is an advanced dental laser made by Convergent Dental. It uses a precisely tuned CO2 laser wavelength that interacts with water in the tooth and gum tissue, letting it cut cleanly and gently without the heat, vibration, or pressure of a traditional drill. Most dental discomfort comes from those three things, so removing them removes the need for anesthesia in the majority of cases.

What makes Solea different from older dental lasers is that it’s built to handle both teeth and gums with equal precision. That means more procedures can be done in a single appointment, with less bleeding, less swelling, and a much faster recovery. For a lot of patients, the difference in how it feels compared to a traditional dental visit is hard to overstate.

Treatments that use the solea laser

Fillings & Cavity Treatment

For most patients, the Solea laser removes decay and prepares a cavity for filling without a drill and without an injection. It works quietly, and because there’s no vibration or heat involved, most patients feel nothing at all. There’s no numbness to wait out afterward either, so you can eat and drink normally as soon as you leave.

Gum Contouring & Crown Lengthening

Solea is particularly well-suited for gum work. Whether you’re looking to address a gummy smile or need crown lengthening before a restoration, the laser reshapes gum tissue with minimal bleeding and far less post-operative discomfort than traditional surgical methods. Healing is faster, and most patients are back to their normal routine the same day.

Periodontal (Gum Disease) Treatment

Bacteria that cause gum disease like to hide below the gumline where brushing and flossing can’t reach. Solea lets us target those areas precisely, removing diseased tissue and helping the area heal without a scalpel. Patients experience less bleeding, less soreness, and a faster recovery compared to conventional gum surgery. For patients dealing with gum disease in San Jose, it’s one of the gentlest and most effective options we have.

Frenectomy

A frenectomy releases the small band of tissue connecting the lip or tongue to the gum. A tight frenum can affect speech, make breastfeeding difficult for infants, and sometimes interfere with orthodontic treatment. With Solea, the procedure is quick, requires no sutures in most cases, and heals much faster than a traditional surgical approach. It’s a straightforward treatment that makes a real difference for patients of all ages.

Snoring Treatment

Solea can help with mild to moderate nighttime snoring by gently tightening the soft tissue at the back of the throat and palate. This reduces the vibration that causes snoring during sleep. The procedure is non-surgical, takes place right here in our San Jose office, and requires no anesthesia. It’s a good option for patients who want to address snoring without a sleep appliance or a surgical referral.

Why Patients Choose Solea Laser Dentistry

No drills or needles for most procedures — Solea’s laser wavelength makes anesthetic unnecessary for the majority of treatments. You come in, have your procedure, and leave without sitting in the parking lot waiting to feel your face again.
Virtually pain-free — Because there’s no heat, vibration, or pressure, most patients feel very little during treatment. People who have been putting off dental care for years because of anxiety are often genuinely surprised by how easy a Solea appointment feels.
Faster healing — Laser energy seals as it works, which means less bleeding and less swelling after soft tissue procedures. Most patients recover faster and with less discomfort than they would after a traditional approach.
Great for kids — Children are especially good candidates for Solea. No drill noise, no needle, and no waiting for numbness to wear off before lunch. Most kids tolerate Solea procedures really well and can head straight back to school or sports afterward.
Precise work on both teeth and gums — Most dental lasers are limited to soft tissue. Solea handles both, which gives our doctors more flexibility and more control across a wider range of procedures.

Solea Laser Dentistry For Kids

A child’s first few dental visits shape how they feel about the dentist for the rest of their life. Solea makes those early experiences a lot better. No drill sound, no shot, no sitting in the chair dreading what comes next. Most cavity treatments for children can be done with the Solea laser without any anesthesia, which means less stress in the chair and no groggy, numb kid on the ride home. They walk out feeling fine and can go straight back to school or whatever’s on the schedule for the afternoon.

Call Us: (408) 267-2303 Request an Appointment Online

Solea LAser Dentistry FAQs

Most Solea procedures are completed without anesthesia and patients report feeling little to nothing. There’s no heat, vibration, or pressure involved, which are the main things that make traditional dental work uncomfortable.

Yes. Solea is FDA-cleared and has been used across thousands of dental procedures. Our doctors are trained in its use and follow all protocols to keep your treatment safe and effective.

At Beveridge Dental we use Solea for fillings, gum contouring, crown lengthening, periodontal treatment, frenectomies, and snoring treatment, among others.

Yes, and it tends to work particularly well for kids. Without the drill or the needle, the experience is much calmer, and most children do great without any sedation.

Most dental lasers only work on soft tissue. Solea’s CO2 wavelength lets it treat both teeth and gums precisely, which makes it significantly more versatile than older laser systems.