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What to know about laser gum surgery and laser periodontal therapy?

Woman at the dentist's chair during a dental procedure

In Depth look into Laser Dentistry and Laser Periodontal Therapy.

Laser Gum Surgery can be a valuable option to consider for those with moderate chronic periodontitis or gum disease. As a therapy for gum disease, Laser Gum Surgery will typically be performed by a periodontist and can involve:

  • Scaling and Root Planing to remove plaque and tartar both above and below the gum line and smoothing of the roots of teeth to encourage better reattachment of the gums post-procedure
  • Gum Flap Surgery to lift the gum to remove a build-up of tartar below the gum line more thoroughly than otherwise possible

If you suffer from gum disease, give us a call today to schedule a consultation, and we can help you determine if this or any other therapies can help address your situation.

Laser Gum Surgery can also take the form of Gum Reshaping or Contouring to address a ‘gummy’ smile, that is, excessive gum tissue around your teeth. A periodontist or cosmetic dentist will typically perform this type of procedure. It will involve changing the shape of your gums to make them more aesthetically pleasing, addressing where your gums appear uneven or cover too little or too much of your teeth. Since this will often be performed only to improve the appearance of your teeth or gums, gum contouring is typically considered a non-medically necessary procedure. Those considering such a procedure who have dental insurance will want to take this into consideration.

What to Know About Laser Periodontal Therapy?

Laser Periodontal Therapy can be an additional effective tool in the arsenal of possible treatments for those who suffer from chronic periodontitis or gum disease. Gum disease is the irritation and inflammation of the gums which support the teeth in our mouths, and in its more advanced forms, can lead to the loss of tissue and/or the bone supporting your teeth and the loosening and loss of the teeth themselves. It is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults in the United States, with almost half of adults 30 years old and over and more than 70% of adults 65 years old and older suffering from chronic gum disease.

Gum disease usually starts from the build of plaque – a sticky film that forms from the interaction between the bacteria naturally found in our mouths and the starches and sugars found in the food that we eat. When this is not removed regularly, this plaque can harden into tartar which can cause irritation and inflammation in our gums as it builds up, especially below the gum line.

The lasers used in Laser Periodontal Therapy work to disrupt the cycle of inflammation from the build-up of plaque and tartar seen in progressing gum disease. Laser treatment is used to reduce inflammation, reduce the number of problematic bacteria in plaque and tartar, and improve healing of the gums post-treatment. Dental professionals who regularly incorporate this therapy in periodontal procedures report improvements in pain management, less bleeding, and faster wound healing,

If you are interested in whether Laser Periodontal Therapy can help treat your gum disease, please contact NY Dental Solutions to learn more.

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