Introducing dental lasers into our practice has allowed us to provide our patients with comfortable oral care. This cutting-edge technology is now a pivotal tool for treating various conditions, such as a “gummy smile” and gum disease. Longview Family Dental uses laser dentistry in Longview, TX because of how precise and effective this dental technology is.
What is a Dental Laser?
A dental laser is a hand-held tool that emits concentrated light energy. Our dentists use this tool for various procedures as a modern alternative to dental scalpels. A dental laser allows for a more precise treatment area, which means more of the healthy tissue is left unaffected. Dental treatments using lasers are less invasive, enhancing the patient’s overall experience.
Gum Contouring with Laser Dentistry
Gum contouring is when the dentist trims excess gum tissue to reveal more tooth structure. There are several reasons why a patient may want or need this treatment. People with a “gummy smile” have an excess amount of gum tissue that covers their teeth. Similarly, a dentist can contour uneven gums where some gum tissue is lower on some teeth than others.
Using the dental laser, the dentist precisely removes the necessary amount of gum tissue. Essentially, they are reshaping the gums to ensure they are symmetrical over all the teeth. Removing gum tissue will reveal more teeth and create a balanced and more attractive smile.
How Laser Dentistry Help Treat Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is an oral health issue that destroys gum tissue. Traditionally, treatment for gum disease involved invasive procedures such as scaling and root planing, which required scraping away plaque and tartar from the teeth and roots. In extreme cases, patients need surgical intervention to remove the damaged gum tissue and reshape the gum line. However, laser dentistry is now an effective treatment option to treat diseased gums.
After a thorough exam, the dentist will identify areas of infection on the gums. Using a hand-held dental laser, they will precisely remove the diseased tissue. The benefit of using lasers is that only the damaged tissue is removed, leaving the healthy tissue intact. The laser will seal any blood vessels, minimizing bleeding during the procedure.
The Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Using laser dentistry offers our patients so many benefits. The most significant is the procedure is less invasive than cutting away the tissue. This cuts down on bleeding significantly, and patients will not need sutures. Also, patients experience minimal discomfort and faster healing times.
Dental lasers are so precise that dentists can preserve healthy tissue. Traditional treatments often result in the removal of excess healthy tissue along with the diseased tissue, which can lead to complications such as an increased risk of infection. The precision of the laser allows dentists to be more selective and only remove the affected tissue.
Additionally, laser dentistry offers superior precision and control. With lasers, dentists can precisely reshape the gums, creating a more aesthetically pleasing smile for patients with gummy smiles.
Laser dentistry is available to treat several dental conditions thanks to advances in dental technology. The accuracy of the lasers allows for more precise treatment, superior results, minimal discomfort, and faster recovery times. Laser dentistry increases overall patient satisfaction while improving their oral health.
To schedule a dentist appointment, call our office at 903-662-7811 or you can request an appointment online by filling out the form.