If you’ve been avoiding the dentist because your body tenses up the moment you hear a drill—or because past experiences left you feeling rushed, dismissed, or powerless—you’re not alone.
Many people who come to Dr. Sharon Dickerson’s practice aren’t just looking for “a filling.” They’re looking for care that feels safe. Care that moves at a human pace. Care that respects anxiety, sensory sensitivity, medical complexity, and the simple truth that your mouth is part of your whole body.
That’s where the Solea dental laser can make a meaningful difference.
In 2026, more patients are asking a better question than “Does this hurt?” They’re asking:
“Is this the least stressful, most biologically respectful way to get the care I need?”
This guide is here to help you understand what Solea is, what it can do, and what truly matters when you’re choosing a practice—especially if you value holistic or biological dentistry.
Why So Many Patients Ask About Solea (Especially If They’re Anxious)
The most common reason patients seek out Solea is simple: they want dentistry that doesn’t spike their nervous system.
Traditional dentistry can be intense. The sound. The vibration. The sensation of pressure. The anticipation of pain. For some people, it’s uncomfortable. For others, it’s genuinely triggering.
Solea is a 9.3-micron CO2 dental laser used for both hard tissue (teeth) and soft tissue (gums) in many situations. While every mouth is different, many patients notice benefits like:
- Less need for numbing shots for certain procedures
- No drill noise or vibration in many cases
- A more gentle sensory experience (especially for anxious or sensitive patients)
- Often less bleeding and smoother recovery with soft-tissue procedures
If you’ve ever postponed care because you couldn’t face another appointment that felt overwhelming, these differences can be more than “nice.” They can be the reason you finally get the care you deserve.
What Solea Can Be Used For
Depending on your needs and the dentist’s clinical judgment, Solea may be used for:
- Cavity preparation and certain restorative procedures
- Gum contouring and soft-tissue reshaping
- Certain periodontal/soft-tissue treatments
- Frenectomy-type procedures (tongue/lip ties), when appropriate
- Select cosmetic-supportive steps where precision matters
It’s not a magic wand, and it doesn’t replace every conventional technique. But for the right patient—and the right procedure—it can change the entire feel of the experience.
A Holistic Perspective: What Matters Beyond the Technology
Here’s the part most Solea articles don’t talk about:
Laser dentistry is only as “gentle” as the practice using it.
A truly holistic or biological approach isn’t just about having advanced equipment. It’s about the philosophy behind decisions:
- Are you treated like a person, not a checklist?
- Is your health history taken seriously?
- Are materials considered through a biocompatibility lens
- Is your nervous system respected—before, during, and after treatment?
That’s why the differentiator at Dr. Dickerson’s practice isn’t just Solea.
It’s the 2-hour holistic intake before treatment planning.
This extended intake gives you space to share the full picture—medical history, sensitivities, prior dental trauma, sleep and stress patterns, goals, and concerns about materials—so your plan is made thoughtfully, not quickly.
For many patients, that alone is the first time dental care has felt collaborative.
How Solea Can Support Whole-Body Wellness
Holistic dentistry is often about reducing “total body burden”—the stressors that add up and leave you depleted. Solea can support that goal in a few key ways:
1) A calmer nervous system experience
For anxious patients, the sensory load of the drill is often the hardest part. A quieter, gentler approach can help you stay grounded, present, and in control.
2) A less invasive pathway (when appropriate)
Precision matters. When a procedure can be done in a way that preserves healthy structure and reduces tissue irritation, your body often rebounds more smoothly.
3) Less reliance on anesthetic in many cases
Some people prefer to minimize numbing whenever it’s safely possible—whether due to sensitivity, personal preference, or simply wanting to return to normal faster. Solea can support that for many procedures.
If You’ve Had Dental Trauma, This Matters
A lot of people carry dental trauma without labeling it that way.
It can look like canceling appointments. Crying in the parking lot. Needing days to recover emotionally after “routine” care. Feeling embarrassed that you’re afraid.
We want you to hear this:
There is nothing wrong with you.
Your nervous system learned what it needed to learn to protect you.
Technology like Solea can help by removing common triggers (noise, vibration, needles in many cases). But the deeper healing often comes from a practice that:
- Explains what’s happening before it happens
- Checks in frequently
- Moves at your pace
- Treats consent as non-negotiable
- Respects your boundaries without judgment
That’s person-centered dentistry. And it’s what makes “gentle” care real.
What to Expect If You’re Considering Solea in Denver
A good next step is a consultation where you can talk through:
- Your dental goals and what you’ve been avoiding
- Sensory triggers (sounds, pressure, needles, gag reflex, etc.)
- Material preferences and biocompatibility concerns
- What procedures might be appropriate with Solea
- Options for comfort support if your anxiety is high
You don’t have to force yourself through an experience that feels unsafe. You can choose care that works with your body.
FAQ’s
How does the Solea laser help with dental anxiety?
For many people, dental anxiety is really a response to sensory triggers—the sound of the drill, vibration, numbness, and fear of pain. Solea can reduce or remove several of those triggers in many procedures, which often makes care feel calmer and more manageable.
Is Solea actually quieter than a traditional drill?
Often, yes. Solea can complete many treatments without the high-pitched drill noise and vibration that commonly spikes anxiety. Some situations still require conventional tools, but many patients notice an immediate difference in the overall sensory experience.
Does Solea mean I can avoid numbing shots?
In many cases, Solea can reduce or eliminate the need for injections, especially for certain cavity preparations and soft-tissue procedures. If anesthetic is needed, your dentist can explain why—so you feel prepared, not surprised.
What does Solea feel like during treatment?
Most patients describe it as gentle warmth, light pressure, or a quick sensation, rather than the intense vibration of a drill. Everyone’s sensitivity is different, but many anxious patients find it easier to tolerate.
What if I have dental trauma and need more control during the appointment?
You deserve that. A patient-first approach typically includes explaining each step before it happens, using hand signals for pause/stop, and building in breaks—so you stay in control. Solea can help by making the procedure itself less triggering, but the communication and pacing matter just as much.
Can Solea help me catch up if I’ve been avoiding the dentist?
Potentially. Because Solea often avoids lingering numbness, some patients can address more than one area in a visit (when appropriate), which can reduce the number of appointments—and the emotional ramp-up that comes with each one.
Take the Next Step—Calm, Collaborative Care
If you’ve been avoiding the dentist because of anxiety, sensory overwhelm, or concerns about whole-body health, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to push through care that feels intense or rushed.At Dr. Sharon Dickerson’s Denver practice, your visit begins with a 2-hour holistic intake to understand your health history, sensitivities, and goals before we recommend treatment. If Solea laser dentistry is a fit, we’ll walk you through options designed to feel gentle, minimally invasive, and supportive.
Schedule your consultation
Schedule your consultation and let’s create a plan that respects your comfort and your long-term wellness.
