Periodontal laser therapy is a non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease.
The process is clean, less invasive than surgical methods, and promotes much faster healing than conventional surgical procedures. After removing the tartar and calculus, a laser is used to selectively remove diseased or infected tissues lining the pockets around your teeth. At the same time the laser will kill the bacteria that cause your gum disease and promote healing of your gums around your teeth.
Is periodontal laser therapy better than surgical treatments?
Lasers are used because of the precise control they afford the hygienist and the comfort they provide to the patients. Lasers perform many functions at once. Not only can a laser remove tissue, it can also be used to seal blood vessels and nerve endings, reducing bleeding and postoperative pain and swelling.
In our Wilmington dentist office, conservative, non-surgical treatment for gum disease is often recommended. With proper home care and your participation, the procedure can often alleviate the problem. Your hygienist will go around each involved tooth to remove any debris and calcified deposits that adhere to your teeth in a process called scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing will remove the mechanical irritants to your gums and supporting bone and also removes a major reservoir of periodontal bacteria.
Soft tissue laser procedures include:
- Reshaping or removing gum tissue (Gingivectomy). These procedures are done for periodontal or esthetic reasons or in order to gain access to decay. Soft tissue reshaping may be done to gain proper shapes and forms for teeth and or restorations.
- Clipping muscle attachments (Frenectomy) This procedure may be used to remove an attachment that is interfering with normal speech or causing excessive soft tissue loss around teeth. This procedure is also done in conjunction with orthodontics to close excessive space between teeth.
- Removing soft tissue growths (Fibroma removals, Hemangioma removals.) This procedure is used to remove excess tissue or growths that may be an esthetic or functional problem.
- Gently removing swollen tissues (Gingivoplasty). This procedure is used to remove excess tissue caused by systemic disease, medication, or poor oral hygiene.