How Laser Periodontal Therapy Treats Gums Disease
What is gum disease? Also called periodontal disease, this condition begins with bacteria infecting the gum tissue around the teeth. It causes the gums to loosen from the teeth, forming pockets where more bacteria collect. If not treated in the early stages, gum disease will continue to progress. The infection will continue to deepen and eventually will reach the bone. Without treatment, it can lead to gum recession, decay, and eventual tooth loss.
The symptoms of gum disease are subtle and usually painless, but the damage occurs beneath the surface. Periodontal disease can be hard to diagnose! It often creeps in silently without warning, and until there is a significant problem, you won’t know. The most common signs include discolored, tender, or puffy gums, chronic bad breath, and gum bleeding when you brush. The initial stages of gum disease can be found, treated, and reversed if you are proactive with scheduling your dental cleaning every six months, brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing your teeth daily. The best way to treat gum disease is to stop it from developing in the first place. A great daily dental care routine and regular checkups are essential to keeping your smile happy and your gums healthy!
Diode lasers are essential in modern dentistry for many procedures like fixing gums, treating lesions, and periodontal therapy. They’re perfect for removing infected tissue without hurting the healthy stuff around it, so they work great for treating gum disease. They’ve also made a big difference in how well our patients do after treatment and how fast they heal up, which means fewer surgeries and antibiotics are needed. Diode lasers are unique because they make dental treatments way more precise and less painful, and they help people recover faster and feel more comfortable. Traditional gum surgery involves incisions and sutures, often leaving visible changes to your smile. With laser technology, there is a minimally invasive option that leaves your gum tissue uncut and unscarred.
Laser periodontal therapy, also known as REPAIR, uses a small laser fiber, only as wide as three human hairs, to target bacteria and infected tissue while not affecting healthy tissue. This minimally invasive laser treatment targets only diseased gum, which it discerns by color. Diseased gums are darker than healthy gums. The laser’s energy kills the bacteria and removes infected tissue while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. The laser is then used to agitate the healthy tissue, encouraging it to reattach to the bone. Because of the regrowth of this connective tissue, there is also a much lower chance of gum disease returning than with traditional surgery. Over time, the treated gum tissue heals, and new collagen fibers are generated, helping to restore the gum’s health and attachment to the teeth. This regeneration can result in reduced pocket depths, improved gum health, and a more stable oral environment.
There is no bleeding or stitches because no incisions are made. Laser gum therapy is almost always nearly pain-free. But even though laser gum surgery results in little to no pain or discomfort, your gums will still need to heal. The amount of time it will take for your gums to heal is affected by how well you take care of them directly after laser gum surgery.
This modern REPAIR therapy is a beautiful tool to treat gum disease and revitalize oral health. Dr. Kovtun is highly experienced with this laser-assisted procedure. Our latest laser technology has proven safe and effective for gum restoration and periodontal tissue therapy. Laser periodontal therapy offers several potential benefits compared to traditional gum disease treatments, including reduced discomfort, less bleeding during the procedure, minimal gum recession, and shorter healing times. However, it’s important to note that not all cases of gum disease can be treated with laser therapy, and the suitability of the treatment depends on individual factors and the severity of the condition.
If you are experiencing gum disease symptoms or have concerns about your periodontal health, please call Alpha Plus Dental at (617) 274-8494 and schedule your consultation with the best dentists in Brookline, MA!
