Laser Gum Surgery

Is laser gum treatment the right choice for you?

If you need gum surgery, laser gum surgery could be a good choice for you. Lasers are being used regularly by periodontists, dentists, and dental hygienists for a variety of gum disease treatments.

Here's how they compare to traditional methods...

A dental laser is a small fiber that light energy can travel through. The laser removes diseased or unwanted gum tissue without bleeding or need for stitches.

Lasers are mainly used on your gums or soft tissue but there are other

ways to use lasers in dentistry.

Diode laser for dental laser treatment

• gingivectomy - thinning or removing bulky or swollen gums.
• Crown lengthening - removing gum tissue to make teeth look longer and improve a "gummy smile". Crown lengthening can be considered cosmetic dentistry.
• Removal of unwanted fibrous tissue.
• removing diseased tissue after scaling and root planing (dental deep cleaning).

Laser gum surgery vs traditional gum surgery

It is done instead of traditional periodontal surgery and is less painful and has a shorter recovery time.

PerioLase made by Millenium Dental Technologies is a Nd:YAG laser.

• Recovery time form LANAP is 24 hours compared to 2-4 weeks for traditional periodontal surgery.
• Tooth sensitivity (a common side effect of periodontal surgery) is less likely.
• No cutting or suturing.
• Results may be longer lasting.
• Scaling and root planning (deep cleaning) are part of the procedure vs being done in 2-4 separate appointments.

Here's how periolase is done:

1. Laser energy removes the bacteria infecting the gums as well as the diseased tissue.
2. A dentist uses an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments to deep clean your teeth.
3. A second laser treatment is done.

Here is a video demonstration:

I like their motto: NO cut, NO sew, NO fear.

Ask you dentist, hygienist, or periodontist if this procedure is a good option for you. All dental lasers currently available on the US market have been FDA approved.

The American Dental Association is optimistic about LANAP but is waiting for more studies to give their full approval. Click here to read the ADA's statement on Lasers.

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