Laser Gum Treatment for Gum Disease: Less Invasive, Better Results

In the past, the best way to treat gum disease was with an uncomfortable and time-consuming surgery. Now we have a modern option: laser gum treatment.

A laser gum procedure is non-invasive, quick, and requires minimal downtime. Is this option right for you? Let’s look at the perks of laser gum treatment vs. surgery so you can decide for yourself.

We’ll also look at the signs and causes of gum disease and talk about gum disease prevention. Let’s get started.

What is Gum Disease?

Did you know that half of all Americans suffer from periodontitis, also known as gum disease? It usually occurs when gum and oral health are neglected for a long time. Gum disease presents itself through pockets that form between the bone and tissue.

As the pockets get deeper, they can become easily infected and even lead to tooth loss. Focusing on oral hygiene can usually take care of mild gum disease. However, severe gum disease must be treated.

Treating Gum Disease

Removing the infected parts of the gum is crucial, otherwise, it can spread throughout the jaw and even find its way to your brain and eyes.

The most popular way to treat severe periodontal disease in the past was with surgery. However, surgery is invasive, uncomfortable, and requires a long and painful recovery.

Today, laser gum treatment can eliminate gum disease without the downsides of surgery. Unlike surgery, it doesn’t cut into your gums, so it’s non-invasive. Let’s look at more benefits of laser gum surgery.

Benefits of Laser Gum Treatment vs. Surgery

How does laser gum treatment work? The simple answer is that tiny laser fibers are inserted into the gums between the teeth to eliminate the infection. The lasers are about the width of three strands of hair.

The benefits of a laser gum procedure versus invasive surgery include:

• No cutting involved
• No need for painful sutures
• The procedure is significantly shorter than surgery
• Much less discomfort than surgery
• Only requires local anesthetics as opposed to general anesthetics
• Fewer diet restrictions
• Shorter recovery
• Safe for patients with health concerns

These benefits seem too good to be true, so let’s break them down. First, laser gum treatment requires no cutting, which takes away the need for sutures.

The whole laser gum procedure takes around two hours. Surgery, on the other hand, usually requires four sessions that last an hour. You also have to factor in additional check-up visits after surgery.

Laser surgery only uses local anesthetics to numb the infected area, so you can drive yourself home after the procedure. Afterward, you can resume a normal diet instead of the soft food diet that invasive surgery requires.

Gum surgery leaves patients in a lot of pain, and they usually experience swelling. It can take between two weeks to a month to fully recover from gum surgery. Laser gum treatment, on the only hand, has a 24 hour recovery time. Most patients return to work the next day.

Additionally, patients with hemophilia, HIV, or diabetes don’t have to be nervous about laser surgery. It’s also safe for patients taking medications like aspirin.

Finally, the most amazing thing about laser gum treatment is that it is even more effective than surgery. Most patients see better and longer-lasting results from laser surgery.

Laser Gum Procedure Aftercare

Even though laser gum treatment has a much quicker recovery time, there are still some aftercare procedures you need to know about.

First, don’t touch your gums or mouth area except to clean up any bleeding that may occur. If you are prescribed a round of antibiotics, make sure you take them.

Don’t smoke, vape, or use any tobacco products for at least a week after your laser treatment. If you experience any major pain or have other questions about your recovery, call Dr. Rinaldi’s office and our team can assist you.

Do You Need Laser Gum Treatment?

Now that we’ve outlined all the perks of laser gum procedures, let’s go over some signs of gum disease.

The signs include:

• Gums bleed easily
• Loose teeth as an adult
• Gums are receding (your teeth may look mysteriously longer)
• Space between your gums and teeth
• Swollen gums
• Tooth sensitivity

There are also some factors that put you more at risk for developing gum disease, including:

• Smoking habit
• Chewing tobacco
• Type two diabetes
• Gingivitis
• Poor oral health
• Hormonal changes (often due to pregnancy or menopause)
• Poor nutrition
• Medication side effects
• Genetics
• Crohn’s disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• In treatment for cancer or HIV
• A low immune system

While some of these factors are outside of your control, like genetics or cancer treatment, you should prioritize what you can control.

Preventing Gum Disease

The most important thing you can do for your gum health is to maintain healthy oral hygiene. Brush your teeth and floss daily, and get a dental cleaning every six months.

Regular dentist appointments will also stop the gum disease from going too far before your dentist catches it.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet to make sure you get all the nutrients you need for proper oral health. Avoid tobacco and recreational drug use.

If you do start to see signs of gum disease, contact Rinaldi Dental Arts immediately to be treated before the infection spreads.

Laser Gum Treatment at Renaldi Dental Arts

Gum disease is a serious condition that should not be ignored. If the infection and inflammation spread to other parts of your body it can lead to serious health issues.

The good news is that laser gum treatment is a convenient option that yields fantastic results.

Rinaldi Dental Arts is a family practice that puts the patient first. Our team is passionate about providing exceptional care and holistic services. Contact us to ask about a laser gum procedure and become a patient today.