Using Laser Dentistry to Treat Common Oral Ailments

FLOWER MOUND AND HIGHLAND VILLAGE, TEXAS – Lasers have been used in dentistry for many years, as they have made various types of surgical procedures safer and easier to recover from.

A laser is a device that uses light energy to perform work. They are unique because they can treat targeted areas while leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected. Today, lasers are used to improve the look of your smile as well as treat common oral ailments such as gum disease- also known as periodontal disease- and ulcers.

Cosmetic gum surgery

Some people are born with too much gum tissue, or their gums may be uneven. With either case, a laser gum re-contouring procedure can transform their smile, said Dr. Jonathan Golab, a Highland Village and Lewisville dentist.

An overgrowth of gum tissue or bone tissue can cause a person’s smile to appear “gummy,” making the teeth almost secondary in appearance. This is the result of improper development, certain health problems, heredity or medications.

“Gum re-contouring is an effective way to correct the look of gummy smiles, yet many dental professionals underutilized this procedure,” said Dr. Golab, a dental implants provider. “This procedure can bring harmony to the smile by reducing the length of the gums, balancing gum tissue with the shape and size of the upper lip, and making the teeth look longer.”

Previously, the correction of gum prominence required dental surgery using a scalpel. This caused bleeding, risk of infection and discomfort. Today, dental professionals use a soft tissue diode laser.

Laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, which means it is a device that produces and amplifies light. The wavelengths of the light produced will determine what types of tissues can be modified by the light’s energy.

Before the procedure, your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to your gums. Using the laser, the dentist will remove extra gum tissue and reshape the edges of your gums that form a smile. The laser will vaporize excess gum tissue and cauterize blood vessels and nerve endings so there is little to no bleeding. Depending on how much tissue needs to be removed, the procedure can last anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour.

“Patients may experience swollen or sore gums for several days, but discomfort is usually minimal and should not prohibit regular activities,” said Dr. Golab, Lewisville porcelain veneers provider.

Gum disease

Aside from its cosmetic benefits, the diode laser is also used in the treatment of gum disease, as it is well absorbed by hemoglobin and melanin. The laser’s thin fiber is able to penetrate deep into the periodontal pockets to deliver its therapeutic effects.

“Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by a bacterial infection,” said Dr. Golab, a dentist who offers dental care services in Lewisville. “Using this laser, we are able to decrease inflammation and increase healing”.

Traditional treatment for gum disease involved cutting the patient’s gum to scrape the teeth clean of plaque. This involved a lot of pain, sutures and appointments, said Dr. Golab. With the assistance of the laser, treatment is painless and the recovery is much easier.

Cold sores

Aphthous and traumatic ulcers, also known as cold sores, can arise in the mouth and lips and are usually quite painful. Whether they develop as a result of stress, trauma, illness or accident, these lesions can now be successfully treated with laser dentistry. The procedure is quick and painless and relief is felt almost immediately.

“The laser forms a Band-Aid like layer over the ulcer and allows them to heal much faster,” said Dr. Golab. “While most ulcers treated with over-the-counter creams can take up to 14 days to heal, an ulcer treated with a laser can disappear in three to four days”.

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