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What Is Laser Gum Treatment?
Laser gum therapy is a procedure that utilizes the energy of a dental laser to treat gum-related issues. A dental laser uses a concentrated beam of energy, and the laser wavelength is adjusted depending on the procedure to provide excellent results. Laser dentistry can be used to remove diseased tissues or to reshape the gum tissue.
How Does Laser Gum Treatment Work?
Using a dental laser enables us to precisely target the area requiring treatment, allowing us to remove diseased tissues while leaving healthy tissue intact. The laser energy stimulates the treated area, promoting better healing by encouraging the regeneration of gum and bone.
We often use laser dentistry as part of a comprehensive periodontal therapy plan. It can help control bacterial levels in chronic periodontitis, making it easier to maintain healthy gums.
Benefits of Laser Gum Treatment
Benefits of using laser gum treatment can include:
- Treatment is minimally invasive, requiring no scalpels or stitches.
- A dental laser is quieter and more comfortable, eliminating the sound and vibration of a traditional dental drill.
- Healing is faster because tissue regeneration is encouraged.
- Side effects like bleeding and swelling are minimized because the laser automatically cauterizes the areas treated.
- Gum health is improved because the laser helps eliminate harmful bacteria more effectively.
- Healthy tissue is preserved more easily.
- Treatment is safe and precise, and the technology is FDA approved.
Conditions That Can Be Treated with Laser Gum Therapy
Laser gum treatment is very versatile, and we can use our dental lasers to treat numerous conditions, which can include:
- Different stages of periodontal disease, including moderate and severe gum disease.
- Periodontal pocket reduction.
- Bacterial sterilization.
- Frenectomy.
- Cosmetic gum contouring.
Laser Gum Treatment Versus Traditional Gum Surgery
Laser gum treatment includes:
- Minimally invasive.
- Produces mild or no discomfort.
- Healing is quick.
- Bleeding is minimal.
- Areas treated are highly targeted.
- There is no need for stitches.
Traditional gum surgery includes:
- Surgical incisions are required.
- Discomfort levels are higher.
- Recovery times are longer.
- Bleeding after treatment is more common.
- Treatment is less precise.
- Stitches are often needed.
Laser gum surgery is equally or more effective than traditional gum surgery, with fewer complications, shorter healing time, and less discomfort and recovery.
Who Is a Candidate for Laser Gum Therapy?
We will likely recommend laser gum treatment in the following situations, including:
- A diagnosis of moderate or severe periodontitis.
- Bleeding, swollen, and receding gums.
- An uneven gum line or a gummy smile.
- Tongue tie.
Laser gum treatment can help anyone looking for an alternative to traditional gum surgery, especially those who may feel anxious or fearful or have a lower pain tolerance. It can also help anyone looking for a more comfortable and faster healing process.
What to Expect During and After Laser Gum Treatment
Your treatment will be customized so that the exact steps may vary slightly. Below is a brief outline of what you can expect.
During Treatment
Consultation
Dr. Navid Rahmani is our principal dentist and a board-certified periodontist. He, or another member of our periodontal team, will ensure that you receive the most appropriate laser gum treatment for your needs.
Laser gum treatment is a very gentle and non-invasive process; it’s unlikely you will need local anesthesia, but if you would feel more comfortable, we can discuss this option with you. Our dental lasers are extremely modern and well-maintained, and our dental team is highly trained in their use.
Preparation
You will need to brush and floss your teeth before treatment begins, and we will ask you to remove any piercings.
Treatment
We will select the appropriate laser and wavelength for treating the areas identified during your consultation. When treating gum disease, we may use different settings to help sterilize the affected areas. Treatment is normally quicker than traditional surgery.
Sealing Blood Vessels
The laser energy automatically helps to seal any cut blood vessels, and blood clots begin to form quickly. These help protect the treated areas and aid in faster healing, making stitches unnecessary.
Recovery Afterward
After completing your treatment, we can discuss what to expect during recovery, which will depend on your custom treatment plan. If you require significant treatment, you may experience some mild tenderness or swelling for a short while.
You will receive clear instructions on how to maintain your mouth cleanliness, suitable foods to eat, and when you can return to your everyday activities, which is typically within one to two days.
Generally, you will be advised to avoid brushing and flossing the treated area, and it may be more comfortable to stick to softer foods. You must also avoid eating anything that could become stuck in your gums, such as foods containing nuts, seeds, or other crunchy ingredients.
Follow-Up Visits
We will likely schedule a follow-up visit to assess the results of your treatment and determine if further laser gum therapy is necessary. For example, if you need treatment for a gummy smile, we always remove the minimum amount of gum tissue necessary to achieve the desired outcome, knowing that we can refine the results later if needed to perfect the results.
During this visit, we can discuss if maintenance is needed, which may be the case when treating periodontal disease.
Potential Side Effects after Laser Gum Treatment
Side effects are rare, but after treatment, you may notice tooth and gum sensitivity, as well as mild discomfort. Sometimes treatment can cause minor gum discolouration.
If you experience any more severe symptoms, such as pain, swelling, or a fever, please get in touch with us immediately so we can provide professional help and advice.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th St #801
New York, NY 10017
(45th St. btw 5th Ave / Madison Ave)
(212) 518-6096