Laser dental cleaning – otherwise referred to as periodontal laser therapy – has become a very popular method of gum disease treatment.
Laser dental cleaning uses laser technology to remove the infected tissue along the gum line. This paves the way for a deep cleaning process to take place.
Laser Dental Cleaning
Laser dental cleaning can remove the infected tissue along the gum line and restore gums to full health. But it is also a much less invasive procedure that most patients find to be much more comfortable than traditional periodontal cleaning.
The following is everything a patient should know before a laser dental cleaning.
Laser dental cleaning vs traditional cleaning
Both laser dental cleaning and traditional periodontal cleanings accomplish the same thing. This is cleaner, healthier gums that promote good overall oral health.
But, there are some key differences between the two. A traditional periodontal cleaning usually requires much more scraping and prodding between the gumline and the tooth. This is in order to remove all of the tartar and plaque that has built up over time.
Laser dental cleanings work by evaporating the harmful tissue causing the gum disease. While a scaling and root planing is still required in most instances, the overall process is much less invasive.
Benefits of laser dental cleaning
It is normal for laser dental cleaning to cost slightly more than traditional periodontal cleanings. But the additional cost is usually worth it when considering the numerous advantages laser dental cleaning has over traditional periodontal cleaning methods.
Here are a few of the major benefits of laser dental cleaning:
- More comfortable experience for the patient
- Less swelling after the procedure is over
- Less dental anxiety in patients before the cleaning
- Minimal bleeding in those with gum disease
- Effective at removing infected tissue
Laser dental cleaning allows for a much faster recovery time in individuals with gum disease as there is often far less swelling and discomfort caused by the procedure. Perhaps the biggest advantage that laser dental cleaning has over other periodontal cleaning methods is that it leads to far lower levels of anxiety among patients.
How laser dental cleaning works
The process of laser dental cleaning can be laid out into three steps, which are:
- Laser removal of infected tissue
- Root scaling and planing
- Gum regeneration and healing
With traditional cleaning methods, the dentist must physically remove the buildup of harmful substances along the gumline. This causes pain and discomfort for the patient. With laser dental cleaning, however, the dentist can now remove infected tissue and prepare the gumline for a less invasive root scaling and planing procedure without causing any real discomfort to the patient.
Who laser dental cleaning is for
If you suffer from symptoms of gum disease – such as tender or bleeding gums – you can likely benefit from a laser dental cleaning.
Laser dental cleaning has proven to be effective at restoring the health of gums, allowing patients to keep their teeth as they grow older. This minimizes the risk of more serious oral health concerns, including oral cancer.
