We use laser gum treatment in our practice to treat a variety of gum and soft tissue problems. The lasers used are narrow beams of light energy that can penetrate the tissue, producing the ability to vaporize, remove or shape soft tissues such as the gums. It removes the infected and dead tissue of the gums around the roots of the teeth, while not only leaving the healthy, live tissue safe, but also stimulating it to regenerate.
Using laser dentistry as opposed to other forms of surgery does have its advantages. Lasers can control the amount of bleeding during the treatment and can sometimes remove gum tissue without causing bleeding. In laser dentistry, there may also be less swelling and pain following the surgery as the laser can seal blood vessels and nerve endings.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum and supporting
tissues to expose more of the tooth. This procedure can be used for aesthetic reasons to repair teeth that appear too short or “gummy smiles” and uneven gum lines.
It is also commonly performed on patients to repair a tooth that is fractured or decayed below the gumline. By reshaping the gum and supporting tissue, the fractured or decayed area becomes more accessible and gives us the needed space to establish the restoration.
With crown lengthening, patients reap the benefits of both enhanced function and aesthetics. Their overall periodontal health improves along with letting the natural beauty of their smile shine through.
Treatment of Canker Sores and Ulcers
Lasers are also used to treat unsightly and painful canker sores and ulcers. By using laser technology, we can prevent these lesions from forming if we can see the patient in the early stages when the lips are tingling. If the lesion has already formed, utilizing the laser will shorten the duration and pain of the lesion dramatically.