There’s laser eye surgery, laser tattoo removal and now, laser gum treatment. But, what exactly is laser gum treatment?
Laser gum treatment is an alternative method to treating gum disease. Relatively new, this method has shown promising results in the treatment of gum disease for those eligible for the surgery.
Mainly affecting adults, gum disease is an infection of the supporting tissues and bone that hold teeth in place. It has three forms: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Unfortunately, by the time the signs and symptoms of chronic bad breath, loose teeth, bleeding or receding gums are present the infection has moved to a more severe stage. Gum disease can be caused by poor oral hygiene, smoking, genetic predisposition, chronic illnesses and medications.
Traditional treatment for periodontal disease is scaling and root planning (SRP) and gum flap surgery. The former is a non-surgical method of removing tartar, plaque and bacteria from the teeth and roots, which have become exposed due to gum recession. It also promotes healthy regeneration of gum tissue. The latter entails the gum tissue to be cut and flipped back to allow deep cleaning around the roots and underneath.
With periodontal laser therapy, a dental laser (Picasso lite by AMD lasers) is used to remove the inflamed gum tissue that surrounds the infected root. Once the infected tissue is removed, root scaling occurs—the scraping of built up plaque and other bacteria. Note that for laser gum treatment to be the most effective you still need to undergo scaling and root planning. After this, the dentist finishes the procedure by smoothing down the root and ensuring that there are no areas that may attract access bacteria and cause a future infection.
There are many reason to choose laser gum treatment over traditional methods, including no anesthetic is needed for this treatment, bleeding and swelling are less severe since the surgery is less invasive, lasers can target the infected area more accurately, and there is a faster recovery period for the patient.
So if you are suffering from what you think is gum disease and would like a consultation to see if you qualify for laser gum treatment, visit Ron Nourian DDS of Sherman Oaks, California. New patients receive an exam and a free X-ray. There’s nothing worse than an unhealthy mouth, so stop your suffering and give Ron Nourian DDS a call at 818.986.7531 today.