Laser Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment

Laser technology is used in advanced dentistry to make many treatments easier, more efficient, and less uncomfortable, including gum disease treatment. At Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions, our sophisticated laser equipment is used to destroy tartar and bacteria and even help regenerate healthy gum tissue so you can recover fully from gum disease and be on your way to a healthy, beautiful smile.

The importance of treating gum disease

Close to half of all American adults suffer from some form of gum disease, from minor gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. No matter what stage of gum disease you might have, treatment begins with a thorough deep cleaning and may also include a need for antibiotic therapy and laser gum treatment.

Scaling and Root Planing using traditional manual instruments is the typical treatment for gum disease. Most patients find this kind of therapy unpleasant and may avoid going to the dentist so they don’t have to undergo this treatment. Leaving gum disease to fester, however, is the sure route to deteriorating oral health. The infection will never clear up on its own – dental intervention is always necessary – and, eventually, will lead to tooth loss.

Our Perio-Lase MVP-7 is laser dentistry done under local anesthetic and destroys bacteria that live in and around the gums, a targeted treatment that is more comfortable, minimizes bleeding and swelling, and allows for faster healing. LANAP laser dentistry is a cutting-edge procedure that offers periodontal regeneration for people with severe gum disease that allows gum tissue to regenerate. This advanced surgical treatment can be done in your Manhattan Beach dentist’s office and far surpasses any other advancements in gum disease therapy.

Video Transcript

What is gum disease? Basically, everyone’s teeth sit inside of bone. Now we take measurements with the probe and we measure how far down that bone is. Bone should be about one, two, and three. This is healthy. The longer it’s been since you’ve had a dental cleaning. The more bone loss you’ve had. A lot of times patients will notice their teeth getting mobile or loose. They don’t notice recession. They’ll notice black around the gum line. This is all bacteria that’s built up embedded in the tooth, and that’s breaking and eating the bone that the teeth sit in. LANAP is a new procedure that we use to not only take off all this bacteria, disinfect all the roots of the teeth, but it gets the bone to regenerate again, and we get all the gums nice and healthy. No more mobility. Also, this is a surgery that does not require stitches or cutting. It uses a laser, so minimally invasive. We could do it all in one day. Let’s get your gums healthy.

How laser dentistry for gum disease works

Laser dentistry is designed to target the diseased areas of the gum only, so inflammation is reduced and infected areas are cleared away. The super-fine, high-powered dental laser is inserted between the infected gum and tooth and targets only diseased tissues, avoiding the healthy areas. No scalpels or sutures are needed to complete the procedure.

Typically, treatment takes a few sessions to address the entire mouth and each appointment will last for about two hours, depending on the severity of the gum disease. Though this may sound intense, laser dentistry is gentle in comparison to conventional gum disease treatment, an incredibly important factor for anyone who is living with tender, painful gums.

Laser gum disease therapy offers the following benefits:

• Minimal bleeding
• Reduced gum loss or gum recession
• Less sensitivity or pain
• Reduced swelling
• Fast healing
• Reduced likelihood of infection

Video Transcript

Hi, my name is Allison. I’m a registered dental hygienist. I have a master’s in public health. I went to USC, their dental school, and I want to explain to you what is gum disease, and why it really matters. Basically, everyone’s teeth sit inside of bone. Now we take measurements with the probe and we measure how far down that bow bone is. Bone should be about one, two, and three. This is healthy. What happens over time is that patients who don’t get regular cleanings, who have just a lot of bacteria builds up, so everyone that builds up bacteria in their mouth, over time, that bacteria hardens against the tooth, and it can actually break down the bone that the teeth sit in. The longer it’s been since you’ve had a dental cleaning, the more bone loss you’ve had. A lot of times patients will notice their teeth getting mobile or loose. They’ll notice recession, they’ll notice black around the gum line. This is all bacteria that’s built up embedded in the tooth, and that’s breaking and eating the bone of the teeth sit in. LANAP is a new procedure that we use to not only take off all this bacteria, disinfect all the roots of the teeth, but it gets the bone to regenerate again, and we get all the gums nice and healthy. No more mobility. Also, this is a surgery that does not require stitches or cutting. It uses a laser so minimally invasive. We could do it all in one day. Let’s get your gums healthy.

Restorative dentistry after laser gum disease therapy

The most important goal of laser dentistry is to rid your mouth of gum disease in the gentlest and most effective way possible, so you are no longer in pain or suffering from an infection. The secondary goal is to prepare your mouth for dental restorations that can make your smile whole again.

If you have lost teeth because of severe periodontitis, it is essential to discuss the most viable restorative dentistry options for your unique oral health. After laser dentistry is completed, healing time will need to pass to ensure that your mouth is prepared for restorations. Then, you can consider:

• Dental implants: Replace both tooth root and crown, fill the holes in your smile, and help maintain the shape of your face by stimulating the jawbone.
• Dental bridges: Fill in the space left behind by one or two missing teeth; held in place with clasps and porcelain crowns.
• Dentures: Replace an entire arch of teeth as a removable appliance that requires adhesive or that clicks onto dental implants.

Rid your mouth of gum disease

If you are experiencing red or bleeding gums, inflammation, or loose teeth, schedule an appointment with Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions to get a diagnosis and find out if laser dentistry is appropriate for your symptoms. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss – but it doesn’t have to be. Gum disease is treatable. You can have a healthy, beautiful, strong, complete smile.