Healthy gums are vital for overall oral health, but treating gum disease can be intimidating, especially when surgery is involved. Fortunately, advancements in technology have introduced a less invasive option: gum treatment with laser. This modern procedure offers precise treatment with minimal discomfort, faster healing, and lasting results.
In this blog, we’ll explain laser gum treatments, how it works, its pros and cons, cost, and what to expect during and after the procedure.
What is Laser Treatment for Gum Disease?
Before moving into the nitty-gritty of the procedure, let us first discuss the treatment briefly.
Laser gum treatment is a minimally invasive treatments for advanced periodontal disease. It uses laser energy to target and remove infected gum tissue without harming healthy areas. One of the most commonly used methods is LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure), which promotes natural healing and regeneration of tissue and bone.
The laser can distinguish between diseased and healthy gum tissue and remove bacteria with pinpoint accuracy. As a result, laser treatments for gum disease is safer and significantly more comfortable than conventional flap surgery.
How Does a Laser Gum Treatment Work?
Laser gum treatment uses a high-energy light beam to target and remove diseased tissue. This involves:
- Preparation:
The dentist will first assess your gums and identify the area of infection.
- Laser Application:
After examination, the dentist will apply a specialized dental laser to the infected area. The laser will remove the infected tissue and bacteria, leaving the healthy tissue intact.
- Scaling and Root Planing:
After laser application, the dentist may also perform scaling and root planning to clean root surfaces and help remove any additional plaque or tartar.
- Clot Formation:
In addition, the laser beam promotes quicker clot formation at the treated site, which aids in reducing bleeding and natural healing.
What are the Pros of Laser Gum Treatment?
Laser gum treatment offers several benefits over traditional gum surgery. Some of the benefits include:
- Highly Effective
As mentioned earlier, lasers are highly accurate in targeting infected tissue, making them extremely effective in treating moderate to severe gum disease. Since the procedure keeps healthy gums intact, it also reduces the chance of tooth loss.
- Lesser Pain
Laser treatments is less invasive than traditional gum flap surgery, so it also results in less pain. Although you may experience slight discomfort after the procedure, it is usually manageable with over-the-counter medications.
- Shorter Recovery
Since the laser treatment doesn’t require incisions, recovery typically takes just a few days compared to weeks with conventional surgery.
- No Impact on Bite or Smile
The surgery does not involve any incision, sutures, or bleeding afterward, which in turn does not impact your bite or smile.
What are the Drawbacks of Laser Gum Treatment?
Although effective, the treatment may not be suitable for everyone. Here are certain drawbacks of the procedure:
- Advanced Gum Disease: If you have a highly severe case of gum disease, a laser treatment may not be suitable. In this case, your periodontist may recommend a surgical procedure or use a laser along with the surgery for increased benefits.
- A Little Expensive: Compared to other treatment options, laser gum treatment can be a little heavy on your pocket. However, many insurance policies cover all or a portion of the cost. You can discuss this with your insurance provider, work with your periodontist, or consider an alternate payment plan.
- May Not Be Offered by All Dental Clinics: Laser gum treatment requires additional certification and training. Hence, not all dentists may provide the treatment option. In that case, make sure you do a quick search before visiting a dentist.
Cost of Laser Gum Treatment
The cost of laser gum treatment may depend on many factors, including the severity of your gum disease, the number of areas treated, and the technology used. Several dental insurance providers provide partial coverage for periodontal treatment. In that case, you can check with your provider to understand your benefits.
On average, the price may range from $500 to $3,000 depending on treatment complexity. If your insurance does not cover the treatment, you can also check with your dental clinic for partial payment or an alternate payment plan they may have.
Takeaway
Gum disease treatment can be daunting owing to the surgical methods and prolonged recovery. However, laser gum treatment can be an effective treatment strategy without any daunting surgical equipment. The laser procedure is precise and provides quicker recovery compared to traditional procedures.
Visit Our Gum Disease Specialist at Periodontal Specialists for Quick Recovery
Whether you have a gum emergency or not, our gum specialist dentist is committed to providing prompt treatment and resolving your issues. We will walk you through every step, so your treatment is comfortable, practical, and tailored to your specific needs.
Schedule your appointment with us today at (651)-388-4774 or visit us at 2835 S Service Dr #201, Red Wing, MN 55066.
