Painless Laser Gum Surgery

Perhaps you’ve recently gone for a dental checkup and received the news that you have periodontal disease. While no one wants to discover they have a gum infection, there is a wide range of treatment options that will depend on the severity of your periodontal disease. For example, laser periodontal therapy is gaining popularity as a less-invasive option than traditional periodontal surgery.

You’re probably familiar with the idea that lasers have revolutionized many industries. But were you aware that they’ve even expanded into dental care? While this is an exciting breakthrough, more scientific studies should be done for this periodontal disease treatment option. We recommend speaking with your dental professional about what your unique treatment plan should look like. Let’s go over what periodontal disease is, how laser gum surgery works, and its known risks and benefits.

Understanding Periodontal Disease

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the gums and other supporting tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place. If discovered while still in the early stage, known as gingivitis, it can be reversed with a rigorous oral care routine. But periodontal disease, the more advanced stage, requires professional intervention.

Periodontal disease mainly affects adults in their 30s and 40s, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NICDR). The risk factors for periodontal disease include:

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Smoking
  • Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes
  • Certain medications
  • Genetic susceptibility

Scaling and root planing is the standard treatment for periodontal disease. This non-surgical deep cleaning removes tartar, plaque (biofilm), and bacteria from the root surface of the tooth below the gumline. It also smooths the root surface, preventing bacteria from building up again and helping the gums reattach snugly to the tooth. 

 

Alternatively, your periodontist may decide that a surgical method of treating your periodontal disease is your best therapeutic option. This could be due to the severity of your gum infection. The NIDCR notes that a common surgical option, known as gum flap surgery, entails a surgical cut in the gum tissue. The gum is then pulled back to allow deep cleaning around the roots underneath. Your gum tissue is then sutured back into place to heal.

 

Other surgical options for periodontal disease include bone grafts, soft tissue grafts, guided tissue regeneration, and the application of tissue-stimulating proteins.

How Laser Therapy Works

Laser therapy is not a standalone treatment but works in conjunction with traditional therapies. It works as follows:

 

  1. Your periodontist uses a laser to access and remove the inflamed gum tissue from around your tooth’s root. 

  2. They then remove the tartar and plaque that has built up below and around your gum line. 

  3. Next, they use a different tool to smooth out any rough spots on your tooth above and below the gum line. Removing these rough spots prevents bacteria from re-adhering to the tooth and reduces the risk of future infections.  

After laser periodontal therapy, your gums will need time to heal and regenerate. During this healing process, your gums should be infection-free and be able to tighten back up around your tooth, like a turtleneck that fits nicely around your neck!

Note that not all dental professionals use laser therapy. Those who decide to treat patients with this therapy undergo training on using lasers. This ensures they have the proper technique and understand how to use different wavelengths correctly.