Laser Gum Surgery
Laser gum surgery is a modern technique used to treat gum disease. It employs the use of dental lasers (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) to remove, reshape, and alter infected gum tissues. It is a tissue-preserving, regenerative, and bone-building procedure, which has revolutionized the way gum surgery was performed in the past. Laser gum surgery focuses on:
- Removing infected gum and bone tissues.
- Reducing the depth of periodontal pockets.
- Preventing bone loss by treating gum recession.
- Regenerating damaged gums and bone tissues.
- Reshaping the jaw bone to lower the risk for bacterial growth in bone crevices.
- Eliminating disease-causing bacteria and infection.
How is laser gum surgery performed?
Below is a step-by-step guide to laser gum surgery.
Step 1: Diagnosis
The treatment begins with the dentist crawling into a patient's medical history to determine his susceptibility to develop gum disease and identify key factors that could have contributed to the development of the disease.
If the symptoms of gum disease are identified, the dentist moves to the next step.
Step 2: Shooting laser beams to eliminate infected gum tissue
Dental lasers are used to shoot concentrated beams of light with specific wavelengths to remove and reshape infected gum tissues. Laser beams penetrate the soft gum tissue and produce a thermal output that eliminates infected gum tissues and sterilizes the area to prevent future infections.
Step 3: Scaling and root planing
An ultrasonic scaling device, consisting of an ultrasonic vibrating tip and a water spray is used to remove plaque and tartar deposits from both above and below the gumline. The ultrasonic tip identifies areas with plaque and tartar and scrapes them thoroughly and the water spray or jet cleans the abscess pockets present below the gumline.
Root planing removes plaque from the deeper regions and tooth roots. It smooths the rough root surfaces which provide a breeding ground for bacteria. Root planing helps the gums and teeth to reattach themselves.
After the completion of the procedure, an antimicrobial is used to disinfect the treated area.
Step 4: Sealing of exposed tissues and blood vessels.
Dental lasers are used again to seal the exposed tissues and blood vessels. The thermal output creates a seal of tissues against the tooth roots and stimulates stem cells to form new connective tissues, bone, and collagen. The natural healing process of the body helps regenerate the lost ligaments and bone around the tooth.
Step 5: Follow-up care
The dentist prescribes topical or oral antibiotics to prevent future bacterial infection.
What are the benefits of laser gum surgery over traditional gum surgery?
Laser gum surgery has revolutionized the way gum or periodontal disease was treated in the past. The table given below highlights the advantages and benefits of laser gum surgery over traditional gum surgery.
| S.No | Parameter | Laser gum surgery | Traditional gum surgery |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performed to treat gum disease by removing infected gum and bone tissues. | ||
| 2 | Employs the use of dental lasers to remove, reshape, and alter infected gum tissues. | ||
| 3 | Employs surgical tools, cutting of gums to remove, reshape, and alter infected gum tissues. | ||
| 4 | A minimally invasive non-surgical procedure that does not require sutures. | ||
| 5 | The thermal output of laser beams seal exposed blood vessels and nerve endings, which results in less blood loss and negligible post- operative pain. | ||
| 6 | Accelerated healing due to the thermal output, which stimulates stem cells to form new connective tissues, bone, and collagen. | ||
| 7 | Administration of anesthesia is eliminated in almost all cases. | ||
| 8 | Eliminates future bacterial infestation. The high-energy thermal output kills bacteria and sterilizes the exposed area. | ||
| 9 | The treatment is highly problem- specific. The concentrated beams target only the infected tissues and the healthy neighboring tissue is left unharmed. | ||
| 10 | Patients suffering from dental anxiety and fear can benefit from the procedure due to its non- surgical and non-invasive nature. | ||
| 11 | There is no gum line recession or aesthetic alteration of the smile. |
At Murray Dental Care of Cupertino, our entire team of dentists and hygienists is committed to providing supreme quality dental care to our patients and their families. If you are inclined towards taking the first steps to improve your dental health and hygiene, call us at (408) 253- 5277 to book an appointment.
