In the past decades, lasers have been widely used in many areas of cosmetic and therapeutic dentistry. In this article, we discuss how laser gum treatments can enhance your smile.
How Laser Gum Treatment Can Enhance Your Smile
Uneven gum line, gum disease, or excess gum tissue can affect both oral health and the overall appearance of your smile. Modern dental lasers ensure precision, comfort, and efficiency of various cosmetic and therapeutic procedures. Soft-tissue lasers, such as diode or Nd:YAG lasers, are commonly used for gum treatments because they allow for minimally invasive procedures and effectively target inflamed or excess gum tissue.
Let us look at the most common periodontal procedures that use lasers and their advantages.
Gum Disease Treatments
Gum disease is a chronic infection of the gum tissue caused by bacteria. It is often characterized by swollen, red, and receding gums and exposed tooth roots, all of which detract from the appearance of your smile, in addition to indicating serious oral health issues.
Laser periodontal therapy can be used to treat advanced gum disease. It uses focused light energy to remove diseased tissue, sterilize pockets, and stimulate bone regeneration. The advantages of laser periodontal therapy include:
- Precision in removing only the infected tissue, leaving the healthy tissue intact
- Lasers act as a disinfectant, reducing the bacteria that cause periodontal disease and lowering the risk of reinfection and further gum recession.
- Laser energy can stimulate the surrounding tissues, encouraging regeneration and improving attachment of the gum tissue to the teeth.
- Minimal discomfort during and after the procedure
- Minimal to no bleeding or swelling
- Faster recovery
The most common types of gum disease treatments with lasers include:
- Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) is used to treat moderate to severe gum disease and regenerate the jawbone tissue.
- Periodontal pocket reduction is used to minimise the space between the teeth and the gum where tartar and bacteria accumulate.
- Removal of diseased tissue and reshaping of the gum contour
Gummy Smile Treatments
Lasers are often used to improve the appearance of a “gummy smile”, a condition characterized by excess gum tissue around the teeth. During a laser gingivectomy, your dentist will use a laser to remove excess tissue. The advantages of treating a “gummy smile” with a laser include:
- Lasers allow superior precision in the removal and reshaping of gum tissue compared to traditional scalpel-based surgeries.
- Laser seals the blood vessels instantly, minimizing bleeding, lowering the risk of infection, and eliminating the need for sutures.
- A laser procedure causes less discomfort and swelling than a scalpel procedure.
- The procedure is relatively quick and provides immediate improvement in smile appearance.
- Tissue removal with a laser allows for shorter healing time, meaning that patients can return to their daily activities right away.
Gum Contouring
Compared with “gummy smile” treatments, laser gum contouring procedures do not necessarily focus on removing excess gum tissue, but rather on reshaping or evening out the gum line and improving minor asymmetry.
Gum contouring can also be used in full smile makeovers, when preparing the teeth for dental veneers or crowns, or in combination with orthodontic treatments and teeth whitening.
Make an Appointment at Dental Care of Chino Hills
If you are considering a cosmetic or therapeutic dental laser procedure, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist in Chino Hills. At Dental Care of Chino Hills, we use modern tools and methods to offer reliable results to each client. We are looking forward to your visit.