Laser therapy for dental treatments is a relatively new procedure used to treat periodontal disease or gum disease. This advanced method can help reduce treatment times and make the process more comfortable for patients!
Here’s what you need to know.
What is periodontal disease?
First of all, what is periodontal disease and why does it need to be treated? Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection that occurs in the gums and eventually travels down toward the jaw bones as it progresses.
When gum disease is discovered during the early gingivitis stage, it is possible to reverse the condition through disciplined oral hygiene, care and professional cleanings or treatments.
As periodontal disease advances, it requires intervention from our experienced periodontists. Progressed periodontitis can lead to bone loss in the jaws, which causes the teeth to become loose or fall out completely.
In other words, YES periodontal disease needs to be treated to prevent these horrible conditions.
Periodontal Laser Treatment
Periodontal laser therapy is used in conjunction with other treatments. During periodontal laser treatment, your periodontist will use advanced laser technology to remove the inflamed gum tissue surrounding the root of the tooth.
The next phase of the treatment involves removing the plaque and tartar buildup from the gum line. The laser treatment eliminates the bulk of diseased tissue, but there may still be areas that need to be smoothed out with a different tool.
After laser dental treatment, an ultrasonic scaler removes any remaining calculus and tartar from around the root surface. The laser then closes the wounds, leveraging the body’s ability to seal the area with a clot.
A recovery period after periodontal laser treatment gives your mouth time to heal so healthy gum tissue can grow and tighten around your teeth.
What are the benefits of using periodontal lasers to treat gum disease?
There are several advantages to using laser gum treatment, both before and after the therapy.
Less Discomfort
We use laser treatment for dental periodontal disease, because our patients’ comfort is incredibly important to us, and this treatment method is significantly more comfortable than traditional treatments.
Faster recovery times
Surgical periodontal treatment can cause swelling and discomfort, and requires 2 to 4 weeks of recovery. Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) only targets bacteria and diseased tissue. The surrounding healthy areas are left untouched, which dramatically reduces recovery time to only a couple of days.
Fewer diet restrictions
Traditional periodontal treatment may require a soft diet for a couple of weeks after the procedure. When lasers for dental are used, the soft diet only needs to last for a couple of days, and most patients feel healthy enough to resume eating right after treatment!
Laser dental treatment is safe for everyone
Laser periodontal treatment is safe for everyone, even for patients with diabetes, hemophilia, HIV, or those taking medications like Plavix.
Longer lasting results
No sutures are needed, and surgical wounds are significantly minimized. After treating many clients, we have found that laser treatment for teeth and gums produces high-quality, long-lasting results.
How much does laser gum treatment cost?
LANAP therapy in the U.S. can cost between $2000 and $8000, depending on how much treatment is required. If you have dental insurance, this will help with the cost as well.
We believe everyone should have access to a high-quality periodontist! That’s why we offer 0% financing with easy payment terms as an affordable payment option.
As a courtesy, we will also file your insurance claims for you. Upon receipt of an insurance payment, any balance due will be billed to you. If you have deposited an excessive co-payment, it will be refunded to you.
When you visit us for your appointment, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about insurance filing and billing!
Still have questions about gum treatment with laser therapy?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We love to hear from you. We’re here to support you and your gums!
At PHC, our highly-experienced periodontists are dedicated to improving our patients’ gum health and providing you with the resources you need to maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. When you visit us, we’ll examine your condition and discuss our treatment options to help you make the best decision for your health.
If you’re looking for a top periodontist in Tampa or New Port Richey, we’d love to meet you! Request an appointment today.