How Laser Gum Treatments are Revolutionizing Dentistry
Dentistry has been constantly evolving for centuries, but the most fascinating advances have occurred only within the last few decades. Of these developments, the most exciting is laser dentistry. Though still fairly new to the field, many dentists have now embraced laser dentistry as part of their practice for a variety of uses, and their application only continues to grow.
One area with the most significant growth is in gum care. Utilizing lasers, dentists have been able to approach gum care in brand new ways, with benefits for both the dentist and the patient.
How Are Lasers Used to Care for Gums?
Gum contouring is a procedure used to reshape the gums. It can be either cosmetic – altering the gum line of a “gummy smile” – or restorative – used to lengthen the crown, or to graft gum tissue to areas that have receded due to gum disease. Previously, this was done with a scalpel, but many dentists now use lasers for this process.
Lasers are also used for the treatment and healing of gum disease. When gum disease progresses due to a bacterial infection, the bacteria can form pockets beneath the gum line, causing the gum tissue to pull away from the tooth. Certain types of lasers can be used to remove the bacteria and clean out the pocket, then smooth the tooth root to allow the gums to reattach and secure the tooth in place.
What Makes Laser Treatment the Better Option?
While much is still being discovered about lasers, they’ve shown a wide number of benefits as opposed to traditional manual methods. The advantages to laser gum treatment include:
- Precision: The tiny pinpoint of the laser allows dentists to see exactly what part of the gum they are targeting, thus improving their ability to target specific areas without affecting the surrounding tissue.
- Efficiency: Being able to focus in on smaller areas means that less time and work is needed in treatment.
- Comfort: Lasers use light energy, so the tool never physically touches the tissue and the patient feels little, if anything, during the treatment.
- Faster Healing: Lasers cauterize the tissue as they work, stopping bleeding and reducing the amount of tissue the body needs to heal. Furthermore, since they work on smaller areas, patients likely need fewer sutures, if any at all.
Thanks to the remarkable abilities of lasers, gum treatment today is simpler and more effective than ever before. If you are considering gum treatment, or dealing with gum disease, contact Niguel Family Dentistry and schedule an appointment today.