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Laser gum surgery is a minimally invasive surgical treatment that can help improve gum health and provide a more attractive smile.
This article explains how laser gum surgery works and how it is different from traditional gum surgery. Discover when to choose laser dentistry, the conditions it can treat, the benefits and potential risks, and the process step-by-step. We also look at aftercare and recovery.
What Is Laser Gum Surgery?
Laser gum surgery is the use of a dental laser to complete oral surgical procedures. It is a more modern and advanced treatment that can replace the use of a dental scalpel.
A dental laser is a powerful beam of light that uses thermal energy to remove infected and damaged tissues precisely without the use of a blade. As the thermal energy removes tissues, it automatically causes coagulation, where the blood vessels that have been cut begin to clot. A dental laser can also sterilize areas that are severely infected with bacteria.
How Is Laser Gum Surgery Different from Traditional Gum Surgery?
Traditional Gum Surgery
With traditional gum surgery, a surgical scalpel is used to remove damaged, diseased, or excess gum tissue. Once removed, the gums must be stitched closed and left to heal for several weeks. Side effects after traditional gum surgery include bleeding, swelling, and discomfort, as well as a risk of infection.
Laser Gum Surgery
Laser gum surgery is a much more comfortable procedure, providing quicker treatment and faster healing afterward. The beam of light used to remove gum tissue is extremely accurate, providing much more precise results compared with an ordinary scalpel. Because the laser energy thermally coagulates any small blood vessels that are cut during treatment, there is a lower risk of infection.
There is no need for stitches. Sometimes, there may be no need for local anesthesia, with only minimal downtime required afterward.
Which Conditions Can Be Treated with Laser Gum Surgery?
VitaDent may recommend you have laser gum surgery if you have any of the following issues, including:
- A gummy smile.
- Periodontal disease (gum disease).
- Crown lengthening.
- Gum pocket reduction, where gum pockets have developed due to severe gum disease.
Gummy Smile
Ideally, when you smile, you should only show a few millimeters of gum surrounding your teeth. The gum tissue should frame your teeth nicely and evenly.
Some people expose too much gum tissue when smiling, and this can be due to excess gum covering their teeth. In this case, removing the excess gum tissue can improve the overall aesthetics of their smile.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal gum disease can infect and damage gum tissue, sometimes to the extent that it cannot heal.
Laser dentistry in Sheepshead Bay can gently and precisely remove damaged gum tissue, leaving more healthy gum tissue to recover and heal afterward, compared to ordinary scalpel surgery.
Crown Lengthening
A crown lengthening procedure exposes more of the natural tooth and is often used to prepare the tooth for a veneer or crown afterward.
We may recommend this treatment if you have a tooth that has broken off near the gum line and where there is insufficient tooth structure to restore it. Removing some tissue and exposing more of the tooth helps us restore the tooth successfully.
Gum Pocket Reduction
Advanced gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating deep pockets between each tooth and the gum. These pockets can harbor infection.
A gum pocket reduction is a treatment that removes the infection, using the laser’s energy to sterilize the treated areas. Afterward, gum tissue is healthier and can fight the infection more effectively. Once healed, the gums will fit more snugly around teeth, reducing the size of gum pockets.
Summing Up the Benefits of Laser Gum Surgery
Laser gum surgery can provide several clear benefits compared with traditional gum surgery, including:
- Minimal discomfort and swelling.
- Minimal bleeding.
- Faster recovery.
- No need for stitches.
- A precise treatment.
- A lower risk of infection.
Potential Risks of Laser Gum Surgery
This is a low-risk procedure, as our dental laser is modern and well-maintained. Our dentist is thoroughly trained in using it correctly, ensuring the right wavelengths and power levels are chosen for each treatment.
It’s rare to contract any infection due to the way the laser sterilizes the treated area. However, if you experience any increase in pain, swelling, or develop a fever, please get in touch with us for immediate help and advice.
Other rare complications can include:
- Scarring
- Color changes to your gum tissue.
When to Consider Laser Gum Surgery
Laser gum surgery is an ideal treatment option for individuals with mild to moderate gum disease, offering a gentle approach to managing this condition. It is perfect if you are looking for treatment that is less invasive and can be especially helpful for people with dental anxiety and fears, because it is so gentle and minimally invasive.
We may also recommend laser gum surgery for individuals who are not suitable candidates for traditional gum surgery.
The Laser Gum Surgery Process Step-By-Step
Step One: Consultation & Digital Imaging
A consultation with Dr. Igor Levin at VitaDent will identify any issues that could benefit from laser gum surgery. During this consultation, Dr. Levin will gently examine your mouth, discuss your concerns, and review your dental and medical history to ensure that this treatment is appropriate for you.
Digital imaging will provide a clearer view of your mouth, including the bone that supports your gums. This is essential in case the jawbone needs reshaping during this treatment, which is sometimes necessary to correct a gummy smile or during crown lengthening.
During this appointment, you will learn more about laser dentistry and how we can help you, and you will receive your customized treatment plan. This will outline the recommended treatments and their associated costs.
Step Two: Targeted Laser Treatment
We can provide local anesthetic if needed to ensure you feel entirely comfortable during this process.
Once you are ready, we carefully reshape your gums, removing any damaged or excess tissue and treating any areas of gum infection.
If you have a gummy smile, we will mark out the areas requiring treatment, only removing a minimal amount of gum tissue. If needed, we can revisit at a later time for any touch-ups required.
Step Three: Healing and Follow-Ups
After completing your gum surgery, we will provide you with precise instructions on how to care for your gums, including oral care and dietary recommendations for a comfortable and safe recovery.
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to check the results and provide further treatment if needed.
What to Expect after Laser Gum Surgery
You may be okay to return to everyday activities the day after treatment but if you need is extensive gum surgery you might want to give yourself extra time to heal.
Any side effects should be minimal and may include:
- Minor bleeding.
- Minor soreness and discomfort.
- Your gum tissue may look discoloured as it heals.
While your gums heal, we may recommend using an antibacterial mouthwash to keep your mouth clean rather than brushing and flossing around the treated areas. Choose softer, cooler foods that are easy to eat, and please refrain from smoking during your recovery.
Oral Surgery Services We Offer
FREQUENTLY Asked Questions
Is Laser Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
Laser gum surgery may be covered by insurance if it benefits your oral health. For example, if you require periodontal treatment or gum pocket reduction, this will likely be covered.
Other procedures that may provide more cosmetically oriented results, such as treating a gummy smile, might not be covered, but it will depend on your policy.
Will I Need More Than One Treatment?
The number of treatments required depends on the specific procedure. Treatment for advanced periodontal disease can be ongoing because the condition may be chronic. Repeated treatments with a dental laser can help control periodontal disease, but not cure it entirely.
If you require laser dentistry for other reasons, you may need a follow-up appointment to perfect the results. It’s always preferable to take a conservative approach and remove too little gum tissue initially rather than too much.
Can Laser Gum Surgery Treat Advanced Periodontal Disease?
Laser gum surgery may form part of the treatment plan for advanced periodontal disease. Laser dentistry is frequently used in the treatment of advanced periodontal disease due to its ability to sterilize severely infected areas.
Often, it’s necessary to use a combination of surgical and nonsurgical treatments to control this condition effectively.
To learn if laser gum surgery is right for you, reach out to our experienced dentists in Sheepshead Bay at VitaDent. We provide personalized, gentle dental care designed to improve both your gum health and confidence. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, contact us at (718) 766-0002 or visit our office on Avenue X in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn (11235).