Laser Gum Surgery and Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums, jawbone, and tissue that hold your teeth in their proper place in your mouth. Unfortunately, gum disease is a common oral health problem for adults that is part of the normal aging process. The main cause of gum disease is the accumulation in your mouth of harmful bacteria and plaque, due to poor oral hygiene.
When only the gums are infected, gum disease is called gingivitis. Early symptoms include swollen, red, and inflamed gums that bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis is a less severe condition that can be reversed with good oral hygiene at home and regular dental checkups and professional cleaning. Left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis.
When gum disease progresses to periodontitis, the bones and connective tissue below the gums can become infected, requiring intervention as soon as possible. Symptoms of periodontitis include receding gums; visible tooth roots; pain while chewing; bad breath; and overly sensitive, shifting, or loose teeth. Periodontitis causes tooth loss if left untreated.
What is Involved in Laser Gum Surgery?
Laser gum surgery is a minimally invasive treatment for moderate to severe gum disease where your dentist or periodontist, a gum specialist, uses specialized instruments to remove bacteria, hardened plaque (tartar), and infected gum tissue without the use of a scalpel for incisions and stitches for recovery.
The procedure helps preserve healthy gum tissue, typically includes less pain and swelling during and after surgery, and generally has a faster recovery time. Local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area so you feel no pain during surgery.
Laser gum surgery generally includes the following steps:
- Mapping gum pockets and infection using X-rays.
- Applying local anesthesia to numb the treatment area.
- Inserting the laser between your teeth and gumline to remove bacteria, tartar, and infected tissue.
- Using the laser on a different setting to seal the surgical site.
Because they specialize in treating gum recession and gum disease, periodontists typically perform laser gum surgery, but general dentists can also provide the procedure if they have completed additional training and certification.
What are the Benefits of Laser Gum Surgery Over Gum Grafting?
Gum grafting is an effective treatment for restoring gum tissue, but patients generally experience more pain and swelling after surgery. To perform gum graft surgery, your dentist or periodontist will use tissue from another part of your mouth—typically the roof of your mouth—and attach it to the affected area of your gums. Because stitches are used, you are likely to have soreness after surgery, and you will be limited for a short time on what you can eat and drink to protect the incision and promote healing.
Laser gum surgery also has a brief period of eating and drinking restrictions to promote healing, but the procedure itself typically involves less pain and swelling during and after, and generally, recovery requires about 10 days due to the absence of stitches.
Prevent Gum Disease with Good Care at Home
Gum disease can cause serious oral health problems if left untreated. Although gum disease is one of the most common dental issues for adults, it can be effectively prevented with proper oral hygiene habits at home to avoid plaque buildup, the primary cause of gum disease.
Brush for two minutes twice a day, floss once a day, and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse. Also, visit your dentist for regular checkups, professional cleaning, and gum care—preferably every six months.