Gum Disease Laser Therapy

Flagstaff Downtown Dental – Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Our new soft tissue dental laser allows the dentist to perform many new painless procedures with little or no bleeding and faster healing. For example, Dr. Bacon just treated an orthodontic patient and removed gum from a partially impacted canine to allow a bracket to be placed to bring the tooth in. There was no bleeding and the patient reported no pain. The bracket was placed the next day! This truly is a much gentler way of treating patients than ever before.

Periodontal or gum disease happens when bacteria gets below the gum line and the attachment between the gum and tooth is lost. Three out of four Americans have some form of periodontal disease. Gum disease is a silent, chronic, painless and communicable bacterial infection that often goes undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction is unbearable and no longer able to be ignored. Left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss.

The latest conservative gum therapy uses a laser. The laser gently disinfects and evaporates diseased tissues from around the tooth and inside the gum pocket. This treatment interrupts the bacterial destruction of the tissues and bone, giving the gum pocket a chance to heal.

Systematic repeated visits, generally 2-8, allow the gum pocket to be disease-free and sometimes allow tissues to reattach to the pocket to a normal or near-normal depth. This new laser therapy is gentle, less painful, and has a quick recovery. While surgery may still be indicated for severely advanced periodontal cases, laser therapy is a much more conservative, effective and comfortable option for beginning to moderate periodontal cases.

It must be noted that there is not extensive research in this field of periodontal treatment from reliable sources. Success is irregularly achieved. No negative consequences occur, but often there are no permanent improvements from this treatment. Insurance companies sometimes do not pay for laser therapy. Dr. Bacon has two 2013 Diode lasers and is laser-certified.

To evaluate the condition and treatment options for your gums, call our downtown Flagstaff dental office at Flagstaff Downtown Dental Office Phone Number 928-774-1168 today!