Cold Sore Treatments
Cold sores can be painful and embarrassing, our skilled dental team offers laser cold sore treatment to provide you relief and get you smiling again.
Cold Sore Laser Treatment
Untreated, cold sores usually resolve within days to weeks after onset. Over-the-counter remedies, such as creams and ointments, can expedite healing to around three to four days. However, our findings have determined that early diagnosis coupled with laser treatment significantly accelerates recovery and occasionally even prevents cold sore development entirely.
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What are cold sores?
Cold sores, also known as herpetic lesions, are small blisters that appear on the lip and around the mouth. They are caused by a herpes simplex (HSV-1) infection. Cold sore breakouts are a common occurrence that affects an estimated 67% of the global population. While there is no cure for HSV-1, healing time can be improved through laser treatment.
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How do you get rid of cold sores?
If you feel the initial tingling sensation that accompanies a cold sore outbreak, call your dentist right away. Your dentist can diagnose your cold sore during a routine exam, at which time we will determine if laser treatment is right for you. Laser treatment works by destroying the virus and stopping the progression of the herpetic lesion, meaning you won’t experience more sores.
Here are the typical recovery times you can anticipate:
- Two days with laser treatment
- Four to five days without laser treatment
- Three to four days with ointment or cream
Fully developed lesions may not be treatable with our laser, so it’s important to catch the outbreak as soon as possible.
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How much does cold sore treatment cost?
We aim to provide high-quality dental care that’s affordable for our patients in Lincoln, NE. Cold sore laser treatment has a standard price, listed below. Out-of-pocket cost for any procedure depends on your insurance coverage at the time of the procedure.
- Cold Sore Laser Treatment: $123
Please note that the price of each procedure could vary from these numbers depending on the need–every patient and every case is different.
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What causes cold sores?
Cold sores are a common viral infection. They are tiny, fluid-filled blisters on and around your lips and are often grouped together in patches. After the blisters break, a crust forms over the resulting sore and will usually heal in two to four weeks without leaving a scar.
Cold sores spread from person to person by close contact, such as kissing. They’re caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) closely related to the one that causes genital herpes (HSV-2). They are contagious even if you can’t see them yet.
More questions?
If you have more questions about cold sore treatment, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.