Over a third of the U.S. population has some form of gum disease. Among the symptoms are sore gums, sensitive teeth, bad breath or bleeding gums. Laser gum surgery is an advanced form of dental technology that offers an alternative to invasive surgical procedures to treat gum disease. For the patient, laser gum surgery offers painless treatment over traditional dental surgery options.
Laser Gum Surgery
Laser gum surgery is a type of dental treatment used mainly to address gum disease and other problems involving the gums. As its name implies, the procedure uses a thermal laser beam to remove bacteria from gums without harming gum tissue. Laser gum surgery is a noninvasive procedure that provides dentists an alternative to the traditional cut-and-suture method.
When Laser Gum Surgery Is Used
Laser gum surgery is an option for treating mild and severe forms of periodontitis. The procedure is also used for cosmetic reshaping of the gums to adjust the gum line and to remove overgrowth of gum tissue. According to a University of Louisville study on dental laser technology that was conducted for American Dental Technologies and published in 2006, laser gum surgery is generally the best option for treating gum-covered decay, a common problem in older people.
Laser Versus Traditional Dental Methods
Treating gum disease using traditional, invasive surgery involves cutting the gum, removing bacteria and diseased areas and suturing the wound. It is a painful procedure that takes several months to complete since a small area of the mouth is worked on at a time for the comfort of the patient. Time is needed for healing, to remove sutures and for additional healing before the next area of the mouth is worked on.
Laser gum surgery is painless for the patient, so anesthesia is generally not needed. Minimal bleeding and swelling occurs and the recovery time is faster.
Compared with traditional cut-and-suture dental surgery, laser gum surgery preserves the gum tissue so the loss of bone or tooth structure following laser surgery is not a factor. According to Dr. Martha Cortes of the Cosmetic & Laser Center in New York City, this method also eliminates 99 percent of bacteria and stops it from reoccurring. This offers a better result than traditional antibiotic treatments.
How Laser Gum Surgery Works
A laser uses wavelengths and power levels to perform the surgical procedure. The thermal laser beams a controlled amount of energy directly between the gum and tooth. The energy beam removes diseased tissue and associated bacteria. The laser then completely cauterizes the wound and seals nerve endings to prevent any bleeding and pain.
There is minimal risk involved in laser gum surgery, but if power levels and wavelengths are not properly set, gum and tissue damage can occur.
Costs of Laser Gum Surgery
As an advanced technology with higher equipment expenses, laser gum surgery costs somewhat more than traditional procedures. However, the higher costs are recouped in the elimination of pretreatment procedures, such as scaling and root planing, and the elimination of follow-up appointments that are necessary after traditional surgery.
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, dental insurance covers the procedure, not the method used to perform it. So if a person's dental insurance covers gum surgery, the same reimbursement method applies regardless of whether the dental surgeon performs traditional cut-and-suture surgery or uses laser.
