Solea Laser Cavity Treatment in Oklahoma City: No Drill, No Shot, No Numbness
Drill-Free, Needle-Free Cavity Treatment
At Masterpiece Smiles, our Solea dental laser treats most cavities in about two minutes, with no drill, no shot, and no numb feeling for the rest of your day. We are one of a small number of Oklahoma City practices equipped with Solea technology. Patients who used to dread the dentist often tell us they didn’t realize a cavity could be filled this quickly, and this comfortably.
What Our Patients are Saying
“I am so happy I found this practice! As someone new to the area, I was looking for a great dental team, and I definitely found one. Kathy is a wonderful hygienist—very kind and informative. It was also a pleasure meeting Dr. Baumann, who made me feel completely at ease. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a new dentist.”
Malcolm H.
“Dr. Ashley Lanman is absolutely amazing! I had four wisdom teeth removed and root canal all in one day, and I couldn’t believe how easy and painless everything was. She’s so gentle, caring, and really knows what she’s doing. And her team is just as great!
Highly recommend!”
Paula W.
No Shot
With Solea, there are no shots or needles! The cavity laser removes anxiety because there is no pain and the procedure is completed in 120 seconds.
No Drill
If you get nervous at the sound of the dental drill, Solea cavity laser is your answer! There’s no more uncomfortable sounds or smells at Masterpiece Smiles.
No Drooling
As a result of an anesthesia-free procedure, there’s no numbness following your treatment! You can eat immediately following your cavity laser treatment.
What Solea Is
Solea is an FDA-cleared CO2 dental laser that works on both hard tissue (tooth enamel and dentin) and soft tissue (gums). At Masterpiece Smiles, we use Solea because it eliminates the three parts of a traditional cavity appointment most patients dread: the drill, the shot, and the numbness that lingers for hours afterward.
Unlike a traditional dental drill, which removes decay through friction and vibration, Solea uses focused light energy that interacts with the water naturally present in tooth structure. The procedure produces a soft hum rather than the high-pitched whir of a drill, and the patient feels little more than a light warmth.
Eight Reasons Patients Choose Solea at Masterpiece Smiles
1. No anesthetic injection.
For small and medium cavities, which is what most patients have, there’s no shot. Some deeper or more extensive treatments may still benefit from local anesthetic, and we make that call patient by patient.
2. No numb feeling afterward.
Patients can talk, eat, and return to their day immediately after a Solea procedure, instead of waiting four to six hours for the numbness to wear off.
3. No drill noise or vibration.
The drill itself triggers fight-or-flight in many patients, even when the procedure would otherwise be painless. Solea operates with a soft, low hum.
4. Procedures are faster.
Most single cavities are completed in 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish.
5. Often no cotton rolls or heavy suction.
The laser is precise enough that the mouth stays comfortable throughout the procedure.
6. Faster healing on soft-tissue work.
Solea cauterizes as it cuts, which means less bleeding and faster recovery on procedures like gum reshaping.
7. Less anxiety for kids and adults with dental fear.
This is the benefit our patients mention most often. A Solea visit doesn’t trigger the cascade of associations that a drill visit does.
8. Multi-quadrant work in a single visit.
Because there’s no numbness lingering after each procedure, we can address cavities in different parts of the mouth in one appointment, which means fewer visits overall.
What Solea Treats
Solea is a versatile tool, but it isn’t a replacement for every traditional dental procedure. Here are the procedures we use Solea for at Masterpiece Smiles.
Small and Medium Cavities
The most common procedure we perform with Solea. The laser removes decay precisely and prepares the tooth for a composite filling, all without the friction and vibration of a traditional drill. For small to medium cavities, this is often the simplest, fastest, and most comfortable treatment option available, and it’s typically completed in 10 to 15 minutes.
Gum Contouring for Cosmetic Smile Work
Solea reshapes gum tissue with minimal bleeding and excellent precision, which matters for the gum line in smile makeover work. Whether we’re correcting a gummy smile or refining the gum line around veneers, the laser produces a clean, controlled cut and faster healing than a scalpel approach.
Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Release
Common in infants and young children whose feeding or speech is affected by a restrictive frenulum. Solea makes the procedure faster, more precise, and dramatically easier on recovery than traditional surgical techniques. Many of these visits are completed in a single short appointment.
Cold Sore and Canker Sore Treatment
The laser can reduce healing time and discomfort for active cold sores and canker sores. The treatment itself is brief and the relief is typically rapid.
Removal of Soft-Tissue Lesions
Procedures that traditionally required scalpels are often completed faster and with less bleeding using Solea. This applies to a range of common soft-tissue work in the mouth.
Crown Lengthening
Solea allows precise reshaping of the gum line before crown preparation. The control of the laser produces a predictable result, which is important when the final restoration depends on the exact gum margin.
When Solea Isn’t the Right Tool
There are procedures where a traditional drill or surgical tools remain the right choice. Large or deep cavities, root canals, implant placement, and certain restoration types still rely on traditional methods. At Masterpiece Smiles, we use whichever tool produces the best result for the specific tooth and the specific patient.
Solea for Children
Pediatric patients tend to benefit from Solea more than any other group. The drill is intimidating for adults; for a child, it can be the difference between a positive first dental experience and years of avoidance. Solea’s quiet operation, lack of injection, and short procedure time make first cavity treatments significantly easier on kids and on their parents.
For children with dental anxiety, ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivities, Solea is often the bridge that lets us provide care without sedation. At Masterpiece Smiles, this is one of the most common reasons we use Solea: a child who would otherwise need sedation can complete the procedure awake, comfortable, and in a single short visit. We still offer nitrous and other sedation tiers when needed. Our Children’s Dentistry and Special Needs Dental Care pages cover the broader context.
What to Expect at Your Solea Appointment
A Solea cavity appointment at Masterpiece Smiles is short and uneventful by design.
You’ll arrive and complete the standard intake. The doctor reviews your X-rays and the specific cavity. You’ll lie back in the chair, and we’ll position the laser. Most patients are surprised at how small and unintimidating the device looks. For small to medium cavities, there’s no needle and no numbing gel; we tell you ahead of time if your specific case is one where local anesthetic would help.
The laser is applied to the cavity. Patients describe the sensation as warmth, or a light tingling. There’s no pain in the vast majority of cases. We pause whenever you need us to.
Once the decay is removed, we place the composite filling and shape it. The whole appointment for a single cavity is typically 10 to 15 minutes. You walk out and resume your day. You can eat lunch.
Cost and Insurance
At Masterpiece Smiles, there is no upcharge for Solea cavity treatment. The cost is the same as a traditional composite filling. Insurance treats Solea cavity treatment exactly like traditional cavity treatment, so coverage applies in the same way it would for a standard filling. Our front desk verifies coverage before any procedure. Cherry or CareCredit financing is available if needed.
FAQ About Solea Lasers in OKC
What is Solea laser used for?
Solea is an FDA-cleared CO2 dental laser used for both hard-tissue procedures (cavities) and soft-tissue procedures (gum contouring, frenectomies, lesion removal).
Is Solea laser safe?
Yes. Solea is FDA-cleared and has been in use across thousands of dental practices in the United States. The technology is well-studied and considered safe for both adults and children.
Does Solea laser hurt?
Most patients feel little to no pain during a Solea procedure. The most common sensation is a light warmth.
Can you fix all cavities with Solea?
Small and medium cavities are well-suited to Solea. Large or deep cavities, especially those approaching the nerve, still benefit from traditional tools.
Do you need anesthesia for Solea treatment?
For small to medium cavities, usually no. Some deeper or more extensive treatments may still benefit from local anesthetic; we make that call patient by patient.
Is Solea covered by my dental insurance?
Yes. Insurance treats Solea cavity treatment the same as traditional cavity treatment. There is no upcharge at Masterpiece Smiles.
Can children have Solea treatment?
Yes. Solea is FDA-cleared for use in children and is particularly valuable for kids with anxiety or sensory sensitivities.
How long has Masterpiece Smiles used Solea?
We are among the longer-standing Solea practices in Oklahoma City.
Will my mouth be numb afterward?
Typically no. You can talk, eat, and return to your day immediately after most Solea procedures.
Can multiple cavities be treated in one visit?
Yes. Because there’s no lingering numbness, we can address cavities in different quadrants in a single appointment, which often reduces the number of visits compared to traditional treatment.
What are the disadvantages of laser cavity treatment?
Solea isn’t effective for very large or deep cavities, and it isn’t a substitute for tools needed in root canals or implant placement. At Masterpiece Smiles, we choose the right tool for each specific tooth.
Schedule a Solea Consultation
If you’ve been putting off a cavity because the drill or the shot makes the appointment feel worse than the cavity, Solea is worth a conversation. We can usually treat a small cavity the same day you call. Schedule online or call (405) 840-4544.
Meet Our Team!
Expert training equals quality and gentle dental care. At Masterpiece Smiles our professional team includes Dr. Ashley Lanman, Dr. Kristie B. Haller, Dr. Bryce Baumann, and Dr. Carmen Martinez. Experience the newest dental techniques and cutting edge dental care in our modern northwest Oklahoma City facility.