Laser Gum Treatments at Always Beautiful Smile
Hi, my name is Dr. Olga Degtyareva, here at Always Beautiful Smile. We get a lot of questions about laser gum therapy. I'm here to answer some of the most commonly asked ones.
What is laser gum treatment?
It is a treatment of the gums with lasers, exactly as it sounds. We have very specific lasers targeted at the tissue of the gums to help battle the bacteria underneath the gum that cause tooth loss and periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. The whole science is about attacking these bacteria with lasers.
How does laser gum therapy actually work?
It's a debacterialization process. We remove bacteria from around the teeth and gums. The bacteria are the source of your gum disease, so if we can get rid of them, we can stop the progression of the gum disease. The beauty of the laser treatment is that it is much deeper and better accessed than we can achieve manually, such as with a deep cleaning. It's an additional way for us to get deeper into the pockets and clean out the bacteria around the teeth.
Comparison between traditional deep cleaning and laser gum therapy
A deep cleaning involves manually going into the pockets, the space between the gum and the bone of the tooth, to remove the bacteria, tartar, calculus, and other buildup. However, there is a limit to how deep we can go with man-made instruments, typically about 5 to 6 mm. A laser can reach 10 to 12 mm pockets. While deep cleaning is great, there are limits. A laser can go deeper and clean better, allowing us to truly de-bacterialize and remove all the bacteria around the teeth.
Can lasers regenerate bone loss from gum disease?
The answer is yes, they can. It depends on the defects and how severe the situation is, but often, the bone can regenerate if we eliminate the bacteria causing the problems. We've seen it happen, and it absolutely works.
Is laser gum treatment painful?
While the procedure can be painful, our rule is that nothing should hurt. We ensure you're numb and comfortable during the process. If you're comfortable, we can work effectively to reach the depth of these pockets and remove all the bacteria, providing you with a very satisfactory result. You'll need to be numb to undergo this procedure; otherwise, it would be uncomfortable, and we wouldn't be able to perform the treatment effectively.
Can laser therapy stop gum recession?
It depends on the cause of the gum recession. If gums recede due to gum disease or periodontal disease, where bacteria destroy the bone and the gums follow, then yes, we can stop the recession with laser therapy. However, if the recession is due to occlusal trauma, where the bite isn't quite right, gum therapy might not help, and orthodontics may be needed. Generally speaking, laser therapy can stop gum recession caused by periodontal disease.
Compare laser gum therapy to traditional periodontal surgery
Traditional surgery involves raising a flap by cutting the gum to access the bone underneath, cleaning it, placing a bone graft, and stitching it back up. It's very invasive, involving scalpels and sutures. In contrast, laser gum therapy is non-invasive. We use a laser around each tooth to remove bacteria without needing to cut or stitch, making it much easier on you than traditional surgery.
Can laser gum therapy prevent tooth loss from periodontal disease?
Absolutely yes. Periodontal disease involves bacteria destroying the bone around the teeth. As bone is lost, teeth lose their foundation, becoming loose and eventually falling out. By stopping the progression of periodontal disease and stabilizing the teeth, laser gum therapy can help save your teeth from being lost to periodontal disease. That's why we do this treatment—to help you keep your teeth.
If you live in or near Brooklyn, NY, and are looking for dental care, contact us at (440) 659-1455 to set an appointment. Our staff would love to talk with you!