Why Does My Dentist Use a Laser to Treat Gum Disease?

You’re (understandably) worried about gum disease. In your quest to learn more about it, though, you discovered that your dentist uses a laser to treat the condition. Now, you’re (understandably) wondering, “Why on earth would they do that?”

It might seem strange, but dental lasers provide many benefits that you’ll likely appreciate. Here’s what you should know about the process and how it can have a positive impact on your treatment experience.

How Laser Periodontal Treatment Works

If the laser you’re picturing looks almost cartoonishly huge, don’t worry – that’s not the kind of device your dentist will be using! A dental laser looks like a slim wand or tablet pen, and is small enough to be held in one hand. Your dentist will simply point the laser towards any inflamed gum tissue, and voila; most of the gum disease bacteria in your mouth will be eliminated.

Why This Benefits You

Removing infected gum tissue with a dental laser has many advantages over a more traditional tool. Overall, this method promotes a more positive patient experience and more effective treatment.

Improved Comfort

Most patients agree: a laser is much more comfortable than a pick or scalpel! Since it’s specifically designed to be gentle on your gums, you’re not likely to experience sharp pain or unpleasant scraping.

Smoother Recovery

Dental lasers improve the recovery process in a couple of different ways. First, a gentler treatment means patients generally aren’t as sore after their gum disease therapy. Second, the laser cauterizes any cuts or incisions it makes. This makes it easier for your tissue to heal, resulting in faster recovery times.

More Precision

Believe it or not, a pinpoint laser is much more precise than a pokey instrument! Because of this, your dentist can remove more gum disease bacteria more safely than they would be able to otherwise. All around, the efficiency of this technique is top-notch.

Treating your gum disease with a laser isn’t as silly as it might sound. Now that you know why, you’re probably thrilled that your dentist can use this advanced piece of technology! Be sure to ask them whether laser periodontal treatment is right for you.

About the Author

Dr. George T. Philip is proud to be helping patients near Sunnyvale achieve their smile goals. As a firm believer in continuing education, he keeps up with the latest methods and technology in dentistry, including laser periodontal treatment. If you’re concerned about gum disease, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Philip’s office at 972-285-6144. He’d be happy to discuss your options and further explain how laser dentistry can benefit you.