Understanding The Benefits Of Laser Gum Treatment For Periodontal Disease

If you have gum disease, then your dentist will need to complete immediate treatments to reduce tooth loss risks as well as the sensitivities that result from gum recession and tooth root exposure. Deep root scaling that includes the ultrasonic cleaning of the dental roots, gum grafting, and tissue regeneration tactics are all used to treat gum disease. However, lasers are also now being used to treat inflamed and infected gum tissues. Laser treatments are considered effective, and there are often many benefits to using a laser over more traditional types of procedures. Get more information below.

Limited Bleeding

When gum disease treatments like deep root scalings are completed, your dentist will use thin and pointed scaler tools to release the plaque, tartar, food particles, and bacteria from underneath the gum tissues. Once the scraping is completed, water sprayers that utilize ultrasonic sound wave technology are used to remove any leftover debris from the gum pockets.

This technique helps to leave behind healthy gum tissues that will be able to heal on their own. However, these tissues are typically quite swollen and engorged with blood. This can lead to excessive amounts of bleeding during the cleaning appointment. Not only is this uncomfortable, but open blood vessels provide direct access to healthy gum tissues. Infections can then expand and even travel to other areas of the body. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, due to the movement of the bacteria, and so have serious infections like endocarditis. 

Reduced Complications with Lasers

Laser gum treatments reduce these bleeding, infection, and inflammation risks by limiting trauma to the gum tissues. The laser itself is only about as wide or thick as a few human hairs. This means more pinpointed accuracy in removing bacteria, tartar, and severely damaged gum tissues. Also, your dentist can use different wavelengths with the laser device, and certain ones can actually close off small capillaries around the tissues so they stop bleeding immediately. The use of a small laser can also reduce swelling concerns and infection spreading issues.

Cavities Can Be Treated During the Process

Many people who are plagued with gum disease also have cavities. Gum disease is usually caused by poor oral hygiene. Specifically, brushing and flossing techniques are not used correctly to remove the plaque and food particles from the teeth. This provides the bacteria in your mouth with a great deal of food. They eat, multiply, and release acids. These substances or acidic byproducts sit directly against the teeth and gums. Enamel is then eroded and the gums become inflamed and infected. If your gums are bad enough that they require treatment, then your teeth have probably been exposed to bacterial activity for a long time and at least several small cavities likely line the teeth.

Lasers and Cavities

Cavities are usually noticed during laser gum treatments, especially since microscopes are used to better pinpoint the correct gum treatment areas. Cavities must be treated quickly, or the decay will continue to attract bacteria close to the gums and the tissues will be unable to heal. Thankfully, the same sort of laser that treats the gums can also be utilized to release dental decay. A different wavelength of light must be used, but little to no lidocaine is required due to the exact nature of the device. A smaller portion of healthy enamel will be worn away too, and the laser can even harden the resin placed in the tooth to create the filling. 

Gum disease can be quite painful and can lead to oral complications down the road. This is why quick treatment is ideal. Do not go for the outdated procedures though, but speak with your dentist about laser procedures instead. New technology will be used, and you will be able to experience the great benefits explained in this article.