Gum Disease Treatment: Going Hi-Tech with Lasers
Laser dentistry is becoming a popular practice in most modern clinics with lasers as a tool for dental or oral surgery procedures. There are many types of dental lasers with differences in their individual benefits and limitations. Because lasers come with different wavelengths, they are better suited for different applications. There are lasers for both soft and hard tissue procedures and those exclusively for soft tissue, the gums. Laser gum therapy is an approach in the treatment of periodontal disease.
Conventional treatment for periodontal disease is the non-surgical approach of scaling and root planing (SRP). It involves cleaning the surfaces of teeth and their roots of tartar, plaque and bacteria as well as the gum surrounding the root enabling regeneration of the treated gum tissue. Or the periodontist may perform gum flap surgery, surgically cutting gum tissue and flapped back to allow deep cleaning around the roots underneath. The gum tissue is then sutured back into place to heal.
In periodontal laser therapy, a dental laser is used to access and remove the inflamed gum tissue from around the root to allow scaling and planing. While the laser is still a debated method of treatment by the American Academy of Periodontology, it shows promising results for eligible patients. The benefits so far demonstrated by lasers for periodontal treatment are many, namely that it is a less invasive approach than regular surgery limiting bleeding, pain and swelling, no general anesthetic needed, can target diseased areas precisely and accurately, and shortens healing and recovery time.
Likewise, dental lasers can be less expensive than traditional surgery for the treatment requires fewer visits to the dentist and less medication.
The AAP is not against the use of dental lasers but claims there is insufficient evidence that any particular laser’s wavelength is better than traditional treatment. And that there’s the issue of restoration of tissue after therapy, is it predictable?. Another is the risk that an inappropriate wavelength or power level could cause further damage to the periodontal tissue. However, as more and more clinicians become adept at the practice and manufacturers are improving on their product technology, dental lasers are gaining acceptance in practice.
No-Fear Periodontal Therapy at Bellevue Overlake
If you fear periodontal treatment that you know comes with discomfort, pain and swelling, visit and consult with Dr. Young Lee. Expert and proficient in laser gum therapy, Dr. Lee is your go-to professional for a no-fear experience in periodontal therapy.