subject: 8 Benefits of Using a Laser to Treat Gum Disease [print this page] 8 Benefits of Using a Laser to Treat Gum Disease
Benefits of Laser Periodontal Therapy
One of the reasons for the continued rise and growth of laser periodontal therapy in the dental field is due to the wide array of benefits that can be derived from it. Plus, many recommend this particular treatment method due to the non-invasive approach compared to traditional periodontal treatment."No Cutting and No Stitching"
Use of the Periolase makes it unnecessary to expose the bone around the roots of teeth. Traditional scalpel and stitch gum surgery will move or flap the gum away from the teeth. The nature of traditional periodontal flap surgery is to expose the bone that supports the tooth. Laser periodontal therapy does not flap the gum tissue away from the roots of the teeth. Therefore, scalpel blades and stitches are not required for laser periodontal therapy. Periolase provides a less traumatic yet highly effective alternative to cut and sew gum surgery."An Easy Recovery With Minimal Bleeding Is Routine"
Patients can expect to be more comfortable following laser gum therapy when compared to traditional flap surgery. Overall, laser gum therapy is less invasive than cut and stitch gum surgery. An added benefit of the laser is its ability to "seal" blood vessels and nerve endings. Therefore, patients routinely report less need for pain medication. Typically, Advil and Tylenol are adequate to control the soreness caused by laser periodontal therapy. Recovery time for typical laser gum surgery is 24 hours. Recovery time for traditional gum surgery is typically 7-10 days, but can be as long as 4 weeks, before the gums are feeling "more back to normal." "The Results Are Longstanding"
The Periolase protocol (LANAP) is the only dental laser on the market to show repair of damaged tissue in the scientific literature. When the Periolase is used, regeneration of lost gum tissue has been visualized by scientists using a microscope. Long term success is possible when newly regenerated hard and soft tissue is gained around teeth. Demonstrations of newly regenerated tissue are regularly reported by practitioners who use the Periolase protocol (LANAP). Tooth survival studies have been performed that have compared "traditional" surgeries to the Periolase protocol. The need to remove teeth years later following laser gum therapy are comparable if not superior to traditional gum surgery. "Preserves Gum Tissue Instead of Cutting It Away"
Laser periodontal therapy conserves tissue instead of cutting it away. The Periolase has a thin fiber which is inserted beneath the gumline. The laser energy specifically removes the diseased lining of the periodontal pocket. Underlying connective tissue beside the tooth is left largely intact. Prevention of significant gingival recession occurs because the supporting tissue of the gum line is not targeted by the laser. This approach is unlike traditional periodontal flap surgery. The aim of traditional periodontal flap surgery is to remove a certain amount of tissue which resides adjacent to the tooth. Quite often, a scalpel is used to help remove or "dissect out" tissue. "Reduces Root Exposure and Sensitivity"
When the Periolase is used, we anticipate the gumline will remain close to the original position. Therefore, root exposure and the sensitivity which can accompany this result is not often reported when the Periolase is used. In contrast, traditional periodontal surgery has a reputation of causing the patients to be more "long in the tooth." The unfortunate side effect of this result can be: altered appearance of the tooth and gum. food getting caught between and around teeth. increased incidence of cavity formation on the roots of the teeth. sensitivity to hot, cold, sweets and acidic foods. Luckily, most of the time, the sensitivity usually goes away after about 6 weeks. "Reduces Infection"
The laser energy from the Periolase is able to kill the bacteria associated with periodontal disease. In addition, the poisons below the gumline are altered and inactivated by the laser light. There is no way any technique or drug can kill 100% of the bacteria. However, the laser energy from the Periolase penetrates into the tissue to kill massive quantities of bacteria. The amount of disinfection gained by the laser energy leads to predictable healing. In contrast, traditional gum surgery attempts to remove bacteria by dissecting out and discarding the infected tissue. Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater! "Reasonable Expense" If you compare the expense for traditional periodontal flap surgery vs. laser periodontal therapy, you will find the cost to be about equal. However, traditional periodontal flap surgery quite often has extra procedures before and during the surgery appointment which makes it more expensive. This will be addressed in more detail in another article, "Average Costs of Laser Periodontal Therapy.""The Most Important Benefit of All"
All of the above benefits lead to the most important benefit of all. This benefit is a reduction in fear about the procedure and the expense. Lack of anxiety helps people accept the treatment needed to get their gum disease under control. People are more likely to say yes to this modern approach to gain their health back.
