Laser Therapy for Gum Disease

October 23, 2019
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Laser therapy has become a more popular form of gum disease treatment, and there are many benefits to patients choosing laser therapy when presented with the option. For anyone who might be skeptical of the idea, it can be helpful to learn more about what it is and how the process works to calm any anxieties that exist before treatment. 

An overview of gum disease laser therapy

Minor cases of gum disease are often treated through scaling and root planing and good oral hygiene, but more serious instances of gum disease might require more extensive treatment, such as laser therapy. The following is a complete overview of what periodontal laser therapy is and when to consider it as a form of treatment.

What is laser therapy for gum disease?

Laser therapy for gum disease, which is commonly referred to as laser periodontal therapy, is a dental procedure performed to treat gum disease in the advanced stages. When periodontal disease grows continually worse or exists for an extended amount of time, tooth loss is often inevitable, especially after gum recession has taken place. To fully understand how laser therapy works, it is important to know what gum disease is. Essentially, gum disease occurs when harmful bacteria accumulate on the gums and weakens and eats away at the tissue. Laser therapy directly targets the bacteria, along with damaged tissue, and removes it from the gum pocket.

How the process works

The first step during the procedure is to remove bacteria and infected gum tissue using a dental laser, which is most often painless and non-invasive. One of the benefits of laser therapy for gum disease is that it allows the dentist to target the exact area where gum disease is at its worst. After the harmful tissue and bacteria are removed, a scaling and root planing is performed, which cleans the entire tooth (including the root) and the gums. The dentist then smooths the tooth, completing the procedure. They might provide detailed instructions for aftercare and schedule a follow-up visit as well.

When to consider laser therapy for gum disease

There are instances where a dentist might find it best to perform laser therapy as the first option of treatment, but many dentists prefer to try other forms of treatment first, such as a better oral hygiene routine, the use of oral appliances and deep oral cleaning. If gum disease does not improve over time or puts the health of the tooth in immediate jeopardy, however, then a laser therapy might be a great option for the patient to prevent tooth loss from occurring.

Talk to a dentist about gum disease treatment

If you struggle with gum disease despite strong efforts to control it, then you might be able to benefit from laser therapy as a form of gum disease treatment. Here at our office, we have a dedicated staff and all of the resources necessary to carry out the entire laser periodontal therapy process and feel free to give us a call anytime to schedule a visit.

Request an appointment here: https://gratondentalgroupca.com/contact-us/ or call Graton Dental Group at (707) 706-2028 for an appointment in our Rohnert Park office.

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Call our Rohnert Park Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.


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