Periodontal Laser Treatment in North Scottsdale
A healthy smile is always in style. If you are seeking treatment for periodontal disease, modern dentistry offers incredible advances in care. One such technological innovation is laser-assisted surgery. As a pioneer of advanced periodontal care, Daniel M. Klein, DDS, allows you to experience your best oral health.
Dental procedures can be performed faster, more effectively, and more comfortably with laser dentistry. To help you overcome periodontal issues and enjoy long-lasting oral health, Dr. Klein recommends scaling and root planing with the assistance of the diode laser. At our Scottsdale practice, our team provides personalized care and comprehensive treatment with the latest dental technology. Call Signature Smiles today and schedule your consultation!
CALL US: (480) 483-1355 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What is Periodontal Disease?
Bleeding gums signal irritation and infection caused by bacterial plaque and tartar build-up. The acid waste produced by bacteria causes chronic tissue irritation, which becomes inflamed, infected, and leads to gum and bone recession.
Periodontal disease develops when tartar accumulates below the gum line. This build-up creates a space between teeth and gums, called a pocket. From here, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, becoming potentially harmful to your systemic health. Once developed, periodontal disease can put you at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease.
Signs you may have periodontal disease include:
- Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing
- Loose teeth
- Recession
- Redness and swelling
- Pain or discomfort
- Persistent bad breath
Fortunately for those with this condition, technological advances have made it possible for dentists to resolve even complex periodontal cases in a more predictable, comfortable manner. Soft tissue dental lasers enhance gum disease procedures to improve outcomes.
In combination with traditional periodontal care, laser therapy supports improved oral health and makes the periodontal treatment comfortable. Using the latest techniques and technology, we provide the necessary care to prevent advanced gum disease in the future.
Improving Periodontal Health Quickly with Dental Laser Treatment
There are many ways in which laser-assisted periodontal treatment expedites the path to healthy gums. In the hands of our experienced dentist, dental laser procedures are often completed in half the time of their traditional counterparts. It's not just precision that makes this possible, but the naturally advantageous properties that lasers have when treating soft tissue.
Ongoing research on diode lasers (those used most commonly by dentists) shows that they significantly reduce bacterial growth and promote gum reattachment. This ability addresses two significant contributors to oral health concerns – bacterial growth and deep periodontal pockets that foster disease development.
How Does the Diode Dental Laser Work?
Microorganisms can attach to any available surface, making it challenging to maintain a healthy environment in the mouth. Lasers change the oral flora on a biological level. The anti-bacterial and detoxifying effects offer beneficial ways to reduce pain and promote the body's natural anti-inflammatory responses.
Dental lasers are perhaps most effective when used in combination with conventional scaling and root planing. We use the laser after performing the procedure with traditional hand instruments as an extra defense against recurring infection. The laser thoroughly cleans below the gum line, making pockets smaller with minimal healing time.
First Step: We begin by performing a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. We divide the mouth into four quadrants, two on the upper arch and two on the lower, and treat each in turn. After numbing the gums, our hygienist will clean each tooth below the gum line and down the root. We can also use an ultrasonic instrument during this stage of your cleaning. An ultrasonic cleaning tool uses high-frequency sound waves to create vibrations that break away plaque and tartar.
Microbes are significantly reduced by removing calculus and smoothing the root's surface, which halts infection. However, any tissue, bone, or collagen removed does not regrow, leaving spaces between the gum and tooth where germs can multiply and attack again.
Second Step: Even after scaling and root planing, bacteria are still present. It sits on the diseased root surface and invades the soft tissue, and we cannot remove it with traditional methods. The diode laser energy is passed over the tooth surfaces and gums to eliminate these pathogens. This laser only affects the unhealthy bacteria of a specific dark color or pigment.
The increased energy production by the laser generates heat that seals the gums with a thermal blood clot. Not only does this create a barrier against bacteria, but it also shrinks pockets, decreasing the chance of returning infection. It normalizes cell function and promotes tissue healing by eliminating cross-contamination. It also increases microcirculation, stimulating collagen formation, immune response, pain relief, and wound healing.
Third Step: Proper aftercare is critical to achieving the best results possible. We may prescribe anti-microbial rinses and antibiotic medications, and it is essential to use both according to directions. You will want to reduce physical activity for several hours and take ibuprofen for pain if needed.
Some tenderness and sensitivity are typical for the first several weeks after treatment. Tissue, bone, and ligaments around the teeth are regenerating and settling and will continue to feel better over time. Maintenance cleanings may be needed three to four times a year to preserve optimal gum health.
Dental Laser vs. Traditional Treatment
Lasers are a much more effective, efficient, and healthier option than the conventional treatment of periodontal disease. With this treatment and continued maintenance, we can slow the progression of gum disease. However, please keep in mind that we cannot cure the disease but only prevent further damage. The ultimate goal is to kill germs, remove the infection, and close up the pockets.
This treatment can be especially helpful if you are experiencing a persistent case of periodontal disease that has not responded to previous treatments. Every three months, routine visits to our office are necessary to monitor your recovery processes and provide additional care.
Additional Benefits of Dental Laser-Assisted Gum Therapy
This alternative to traditional periodontal care comes with several advantages. With laser-assisted treatment, you can enjoy improved comfort during the procedure. In surgical therapy, post-operative discomfort is minimal, so that you can return to work the next day.
Recent studies have shown that laser-assisted periodontal therapy can increase gum reattachment to the tooth and bone in some cases. Additionally, laser dentistry helps to protect other parts of the mouth, such as underlying bone. With laser-assisted periodontics, you can comprehensively improve the health of your entire smile. Here are some of the benefits laser treatment offers:
- It is comfortable, so there's no need to use anesthesia
- Fast and requires fewer office visits
- Produces no unpleasant vibrations
- Offers gum surgery with no incisions
- Provides excellent results due to high accuracy
- Causes minimal bleeding during and after procedures
How Dental Laser Treatment Improves Other Gum Treatments
Laser technology has revolutionized other soft tissue treatments as well. Dental lasers can improve results for crown lengthening and treatments to address a gummy smile.
Having this pinpoint accuracy allows us to reach affected areas more efficiently, enabling a more conservative approach. This technology makes it possible to target only infected tissue, leaving the surrounding gum tissue untouched and shorter recovery periods following these procedures.
Dental Laser-Assisted Periodontal Treatment in Scottsdale
A dental laser is especially beneficial because it clots blood vessels and seals off sensitive tissues from bacteria, eliminating the need for incisions and sutures.
At Signature Smiles, our team is committed to providing you with exceptional, lasting treatments. As a recognized expert in cosmetic, general, and laser dentistry, Dr. Klein excels at comprehensively treating periodontal disease using modern technologies and techniques. For more information about laser-assisted surgery, contact our Scottsdale office today!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does laser periodontal therapy take?
The total length of time it takes to complete the treatment varies between individuals, based on the seriousness of their condition. However, laser periodontal treatment typically takes two sessions that last about two hours apiece. You may also need follow-up treatments periodically to further promote gum health, depending on if you are suffering from advanced periodontitis or not.
How long do lasered gums take to heal?
Because laser gum treatments don't require stitches, the standard healing time after treatment is two to four weeks. If you require a deeper cleaning because of the presence of advanced gum disease, healing can take a few months. It's normal for your gums to feel tender after treatment, and you will need to follow all our dentist's instructions to promote a fast recovery time.
What are the side effects of laser gum surgery?
Though there is less risk than with traditional dental surgeries, you may still experience side effects with laser gum surgery. Some issues that can occur after laser surgery include tissue pigment changes, infection, and gum injury. However, because of the innovative and noninvasive nature of laser dentistry, many of these issues can be resolved promptly and leave little to no lasting effects.
CALL US: (480) 483-1355 REQUEST APPOINTMENT