Blog
Legal Notice
clinician spotlight
Dental Lasers - The Highest Caliber of Dental Care for Children
By Dr. Reena Kuba
My practice first began working with BIOLASE dental lasers in 2015. Specifically, we use the Waterlase iPlus for hard and soft tissue procedures and the Epic Diode for bacterial reduction and aphthous ulcers. Having a dental laser on hand has changed my approach to dentistry and our patients have reaped the benefits.
Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About
The dental laser is a vital factor in creating a positive dental experience for my pediatric patients. Kids and parents both appreciate that our office can provide treatment gently, quickly, and much-less invasive than what they may expect from a traditional treatment appointment. We are able to use the Waterlase iPlus for treatments such as placing fillings and stainless-steel crowns without the need for injections. Being able to avoid “getting a shot,” the uncomfortable sensation of numbness, and the intimidating sound of the drill are some of the biggest perks of using the laser. Clinically, I appreciate knowing that the heat-less laser runs no risk of damaging or cracking other areas of the tooth.
Many parents and patients that visit us are part of the large information technology (IT) engineering community here in Irving, TX. These are intelligent, tech-savvy adults who really appreciate that utilizing cutting-edge technology is part of our treatment philosophy. Parents are quick to share positive experiences with other parents – through word-of-mouth, social media, neighborhood apps, and more – which has sparked many laser conversations with parents in our office. It is not uncommon for new patients to specifically ask about the dental laser when calling to schedule their first appointment.
Contact Us to Learn More
Safe, Effective Frenotomy Options
Parents seek – and expect – the highest caliber of care when it comes to their children. Parents, especially new parents, do a lot of research when choosing a dental provider. By the time they call us to schedule, they have already seen the dental laser on our website and know that laser treatment will be the best for their child. This is why I choose to use BIOLASE dental lasers, and why parents trust us with their children’s care. Infant frenotomies are one of the most sought-after soft tissue procedures we offer. We have even had two families drive all the way from Oklahoma to visit us in Texas! Often the results of these procedures are our most rewarding success stories.
It’s gratifying to know that I’ve drastically improved a child’s quality of life. One of my favorite life-changing moments involves an 8-month-old infant who was failing to thrive and being fed by a nasogastric tube. With no other obvious medical issues, his condition had become serious enough that he was scheduled for surgery to have a G-tube placed. After evaluation, I recommended upper labial and lingual frenectomies. Not only was the treatment a success, but we later learned that the baby’s feeding patterns had improved so much that he no longer required the G-tube surgery! This was such a pivotal moment for this young child and a relatively simple procedure that changed his world.
Another case that touched our hearts was a 10-month-old infant who was failing to thrive and also experiencing cardiac issues. His pediatricians could not find the cause of the baby’s poor feeding habits and the mother came to us for an evaluation after hearing about us from a friend. We performed frenotomies, and only a few weeks later the child had not only gained weight, but the pediatrician was no longer recommending cardiac surgery. This was another emotional moment for me and my team – made possible by Waterlase!
This Mission Made Possible
Dentistry is all about helping people. Educating parents, providing the highest quality of care, and using the most advanced technology is part of accomplishing that mission. It’s common for parents to visit us for second (or even third!) opinions so they can make the best decision for their child’s treatment. An example of this is when we had a 7-year-old patient come in for a preventive care visit. During the evaluation, I noticed a mucocele and recommended laser excision. I spent a long time talking to the patient’s father who was confused since the child’s pediatrician had recently told him it was a cyst and referred him to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist. The ENT had the child scheduled for an excision under general anesthesia. After our conversation, the father ultimately canceled the ENT surgery and opted for a gentle laser excision in our office under nitrous oxide. The subsequent pathology report confirmed it was indeed a mucocele. Because we had advanced laser technology in our office, we were able to spare this child from undergoing a more drastic procedure.
I feel passionate about doing what’s best for my patients and being able to offer them the best quality care possible. I am proud to play a small role in the growing field of laser dentistry and to help spread the word about the equipment that I have seen truly change lives.
Dr. Reena Kuba participating in a Team Smile event sponsored by BIOLASE.
About Reena Kuba, DDS, MS
A proud Dallas native. Dr. Reena Kuba received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Texas at Dallas. She then earned her D.D.S. degree from Baylor College of Dentistry. While at Baylor, she completed her certification in pediatric dentistry in addition to a Master of Science in oral biology. Dr. Kuba remains an active member of the dental community helping to educate future dentists as a volunteer professor at Baylor College of Dentistry and was appointed by the governor to serve as a member of the state board’s Dental Review Committee. Dr. Kuba is a certified Diplomate of The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and she has been selected to serve as a consultant to the board for the past 11 years. Dr. Kuba’s mission is to work together with families to create a positive, educational atmosphere where and child can build positive dental memories, which lead to positive dental habits and health in the future.