Laser Therapy for Gum Disease Sufferers

When you hear the word “laser” does a visit to the dentist come to mind? For most people, lasers call to mind science fiction, but there are a variety of professions that regularly use lasers to improve the effectiveness, speed, or comfort of services and treatments. That includes dentistry. In recent years, many dental offices have incorporated lasers into their practices. Lasers dentistry has specifically improved soft tissue therapies for those patients suffering from gum disease and those who need to remove damaged or excessive soft tissue.

What is Periodontal “Gum” Disease?

Periodontal disease, better known as gum disease, is a common oral health concern. It occurs when plaque and tartar buildup at the gum line irritates the soft tissue. This creates sores, infection, and inflammation that destroys the connective gum and bone tissues that surround teeth.

What is Laser Dentistry?

Laser dentistry uses high wave length light waves to remove tissue. These laser treatments can be utilized to precisely target only the tissue that is damaged and avoid healthy tissue altogether. Laser therapy removes tissue gently, and the low heat light cauterizes as it treats. This means patients are able to receive advanced soft tissue procedures with much less discomfort and bleeding and dramatically accelerated healing.

How Does Laser Therapy Improve Gum Health?

Patients who suffer from gum disease often struggle to achieve optimal oral health because periodontal disease causes chronic infection and inflammation. The treatments for gum disease often lead to additional inflammation and risk for infection, so patients find themselves in a vicious cycle of treatment and reinfection. Laser therapy for gum disease removes the need for traumatic, invasive procedures that make it difficult for gum disease sufferers to heal following traditional gum therapies.

Benefits of Laser Therapy

Compared with more traditional periodontal therapies, laser gum treatments have a number of benefits, including:

• Comfort – metal scraping tools and scalpels used in traditional periodontal therapy can irritate and damage the soft tissue, but laser therapy is much more comfortable.
• Minimal bleeding – lasers cauterize the treatment area as they remove damaged soft tissue and plaque and tartar buildup, reducing the amount of bleeding.
• Faster healing – most patients are fully recovered within 48 hours of treatment with significantly reduced risk for infection.

Meet Dr. Canzoneri

At the Arcadia dental office of Kenneth J. Canzoneri, DDS, we offer a wide range dental services, including periodontal therapy using dental lasers. If you’re suffering from gum disease or other oral health concerns, our skilled dentist and caring dentistry team are here to help you renew oral health and put the smile back on your face. If you want to learn more about laser gum therapies or other dentistry treatments available in our office, please don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation appointment in our Arcadia dental office.