Removing decay with the laser
Needle-free dentistry in Küsnacht: fillings without an injection using the laser
Many people look for needle-free dentistry because they dread the injection or dislike the numb lip afterwards. In Küsnacht, we remove tooth decay with a laser rather than a drill, where suitable. In many cases, this works without an anaesthetic. This page explains when a filling without an injection is possible and how the treatment works at our clinic.
What needle-free dentistry means in practice
“Needle-free” means we treat the tooth without a local anaesthetic. This mainly applies to removing decay with the laser.
The short answer
- In many cases, we remove decay with the laser, without an anaesthetic.
- We check at your examination whether your tooth can be treated without an injection. If you would like an injection, you can have one.
- No dental treatment is entirely without sensation.
What “needle-free” does not mean
“Needle-free” does not apply to every treatment. We place an implant, for example, under local anaesthetic. “Needle-free” is not a promise either. Only the examination shows whether your tooth can be treated without an injection.
What is different about treatment without an injection
What you hear and feel
With the laser, no drill bit spins inside the tooth. It is quieter than the drill and vibrates less. So the treatment is usually barely noticeable.
Why you often do not need an anaesthetic
The laser works with focused light. It breaks down diseased tooth substance into tiny particles, with nothing rubbing against the tooth. Many people find the drill's vibration and pressure especially unpleasant. The laser produces less of both, so in many cases we can do without an anaesthetic.
Find out more about how the dental laser works.
When treatment without an injection is an option
Whether a tooth can be treated without an injection depends on several things. We check at your examination whether it suits you.
Small cavities are more likely to be treated without an injection than deep ones. At a check-up, we detect decay early, often before it hurts. Read more about spotting decay early at your check-up.
Good conditions
- The decay was found early and is still shallow.
- You want treatment without an injection and feel comfortable with it.
When a local anaesthetic is still needed
You can also ask for an anaesthetic yourself. For local anaesthesia, we also use intraosseous anaesthesia. The anaesthetic goes directly into the bone next to the tooth. This numbs the tooth itself, and your lip and cheek usually do not go numb. An anaesthetic is more likely to be needed in these cases:
- The procedure is extensive or in a hard-to-reach place.
- Your tooth is very sensitive, or you react strongly to stimuli.
- The decay reaches deep into the tooth, close to the nerve.
Does drilling with the laser hurt?
Worries about the needle and the drill
People who fear the dentist have often had bad experiences. Some dread the prick of the needle, others the sound of the drill. We take these worries seriously.
If fear makes you put off appointments, see our page on help with severe dental anxiety.
How much you can expect to feel
No dental treatment is completely pain-free. With the laser, it is in many cases largely gentle and possible without an injection. So we cannot promise that drilling will not hurt. How much you feel depends on the tooth, the depth of the decay and your own sensitivity.
Advantages of treatment by a laser dentist
A dental laser has several advantages:
- In many cases, decay can be removed without an anaesthetic.
- Without an injection, your lip and cheek do not go numb afterwards.
- The laser light acts against bacteria in the treated area.
- With the laser, surgical procedures, for example on the gums, cause hardly any bleeding.
- Wounds often heal more quickly afterwards.
Your treatment without an injection, step by step
Before the treatment
First, we examine the tooth and discuss the findings with you. We only take an X-ray if needed. The X-ray is digital and uses around 80 per cent less radiation than conventional methods. Then we decide together whether to use an anaesthetic.
During the treatment
You stay awake and responsive throughout. If it becomes uncomfortable, give us a sign. We then stop and adjust our approach, with an anaesthetic if needed. Finally, we close the cavity.
After the treatment
Without an injection, nothing goes numb. You can speak normally straight away, without waiting for an anaesthetic to wear off. After an injection, numbness can last two to three hours. We give you recommendations for the days that follow.
Who treats you with the laser in Küsnacht
Laser treatment is Dr Susan Oswald-Schütz's field. She founded the clinic and is its CEO and medical director. She is a dentist with a Swiss federal diploma and the team's laser expert. She also holds diplomas in laser assessment and laser safety (Lasersachverständige and Laserschutzbeauftragte) and has worked with the laser for 30 years. She focuses on laser surgery and minimally invasive treatment.
The clinic has parking, and the rooms are wheelchair and rollator accessible. Read more about finding the clinic near Küsnacht Goldbach station on our Küsnacht page.
Common questions about needle-free dentistry
Is your question not listed? Call us or send us an email.
+41 44 915 17 77Can you have a filling without an injection?
Yes, in many cases. We often remove decay with the laser without an anaesthetic. We check at your examination whether this is possible for your tooth.
Who is dental treatment without anaesthetic suitable for?
It suits people who want to avoid the needle or the numb lip afterwards. Conditions are good when decay is found early and you would like treatment without an injection. The examination shows whether your tooth is suitable.
Can I still have an anaesthetic injection with the laser?
Yes. If you want an anaesthetic, you will get one, even if you change your mind during treatment. We then stop and numb the tooth locally. For this, we also use intraosseous anaesthesia, which usually leaves your lip and cheek without numbness.
Is a dental laser dangerous?
The laser acts locally, where its light is aimed. Unlike X-rays, it produces no ionising radiation. To protect the eyes, protective glasses are normally worn during laser treatment.
How much does treatment without an injection cost?
It depends on the findings and the work involved, so we do not list prices here. Swiss dentists bill by tax points (Taxpunkte), multiplied by the tax point value (Taxpunktwert). We bill transparently under the Dentotar tariff, with our tax point value of CHF 1.13, and give you open advice on costs.
Does Swiss health insurance pay for treatment without an injection?
Usually not. Compulsory basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) generally does not cover dental treatment, whether by laser or drill. Supplementary insurance may cover part, depending on your policy. Check with your health insurer beforehand.
Related pages
- What the dental laser is used for
Technology, uses and costs of laser treatment.
- Dental care when you feel anxious
For people who find even the thought of an appointment hard.
- Treating decay and keeping your teeth
Fillings and ceramics after decay has been removed.
Discuss treatment without an injection
At your examination, we check whether you can be treated without an injection. Request an appointment using the form, or call us. We are also happy to arrange appointments outside our opening hours. Our emergency page can help if you have acute toothache.