Based on a report published by the CDC, 47% of individuals over 30 are currently suffering from periodontal disease. Periodontal conditions are common, but they can be excruciating. There are several ways to treat gum infections. However, the one that has recently gained popularity is laser periodontal therapy.
The less intrusive nature of laser treatment results in a short recovery compared to the other surgical options, making this treatment option everyone's favorite. To understand how laser periodontal therapy works, let's first get a clear idea about the underlying periodontal disease.
Ready to learn?
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a gum infection that primarily starts with inflammation in the gums and around the teeth accompanied by occasional bleeding gums. If the infected gum is discovered early, also known as gingivitis, the condition can be reversed by following a healthy oral care routine. However, if the infected gum is left untreated, the infection will eventually travel down to the jaw bones giving rise to a more complex condition. People suffering from severe gum disease experience receding gums, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. This condition is known as periodontitis.
How does Laser therapy work?
To start the treatment, a periodontist first uses an advanced laser beam to remove the infected gum tissues surrounding the tooth's root. The precise laser technology ensures that only the infected tissues are eradicated without causing any damage to the surrounding healthy gum tissues. Now that the periodontist has removed the infected gum tissues, the professionals head on to the next treatment phase. During this phase, the professionals remove the tartar and plaque build-up below and around the gum line.
Finally, they use an ultrasonic scaler to smoothen the rough patches surrounding the gum line. Smoothing down these areas reduces the likelihood of attracting more germs and preventing future dental complications. Once the Laser periodontal therapy is complete, you must know that your mouth will require time to recover and regenerate healthy tissues. During this phase of recovery, your gums should be clear of infection to be able to reattach to your teeth.
Benefits of laser therapy
One of the best parts about undergoing laser periodontal therapy is that it is not an invasive treatment and involves a short recovery period. Here are more benefits associated with the procedure:
1. Minimizing the loss of gum tissues
Before laser periodontal therapy was even introduced, Periodontitis Gingival flap surgery was the most effective treatment. In this treatment, the dentist used to cut out the infected gum and pull them away from the teeth, and head on to removing plaque. However, with the introduction of laser periodontal therapy, the laser precisely targets the affected areas in your gums without causing any permanent damage to the other surrounding tissues. There is hardly any need for cutting out gum tissues, thereby minimizing tissue loss.
2. Controlled bleeding
Unlike traditional surgery, laser periodontal therapy hardly involves any bleeding. The treatment procedure involves minor bleeding when the laser beam eradicates the infected gum tissues. Whatever minimum bleeding that could occur stops almost immediately on its own.
3. Increased flexibility with laser treatment
Every tooth is different, and so are people's requirements. With laser periodontal therapy, the power and wavelength of the lasers used in the surgery are flexible, allowing precise customization to the specific needs of each procedure. The laser makes multiple alterations within a single surgery much more accessible by providing easy access to different portions of your gums.
4. An affordable mode of surgery
Whether you have dental insurance or not, the cost of laser periodontal therapy is almost equal to or less than the traditional methods. Furthermore, being the least invasive, the treatment ensures fewer medications post-surgery and lesser follow-up appointments to the dentist, making it the best choice for individuals.
Does laser therapy hurt?
No, laser periodontal therapy is the least invasive procedure and does not involve much pain and discomfort if you undergo the process in the early stages. However, you may experience some degree of pain if your gum infection has worsened.
Whatever minimum pain you may experience during and after undergoing the laser treatment will alleviate on its own. Even if it persists, your dentist may recommend some OTC pain medications and antibiotics to ease the discomfort and deter any chances of infection.
It is recommended to undergo laser periodontal therapy only from a reputed and recognized clinic under the care of experienced dentists to have an overall seamless experience. If you live near Sunnyvale and have yet to locate a family dentistry who can help treat your receding gums, we have some good news. Trident Smiles Dental in Sunnyvale, CA, is here to help you.
