Advanced Advantages: 3 Benefits of Laser Gum Disease Treatment

Although gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, can sometimes be halted or even reversed by brushing and flossing more consistently at home, it often goes unnoticed because early signs can be difficult to identify.

Then, if your condition progresses to periodontitis, or advanced-stage gum disease, it can sometimes be managed but not cured. Historically, dentists relied on scalpels to cut away infected materials to help maintain periodontal tissues, but today, many dentists use advanced laser treatments instead. Continue reading to learn about 3 advantages of addressing gum disease with this state-of-the-art technology!

Benefit #1: More Comfortable Treatments

Removing infected gum tissue can prevent your condition from spreading or progressing, helping manage or reduce symptoms associated with worsening periodontal disease. In the past, dentists had no choice but to use scalpels to trim away damaged tissue, which often required numbing the mouth and/or dental sedation and placing sutures to support healing, all of which can be incredibly uncomfortable and irritating.

Today, many providers offer LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure), which uses advanced laser technology and is usually considered less invasive than traditional surgical methods. No incisions or sutures are needed, so the procedure and recovery typically hurt less.  

Benefit #2: Enhanced Accuracy

Laser gum disease procedures can also improve treatment accuracy because they use a focused beam of light energy to selectively target infected tissue. The technology uses specific wavelengths to vaporize inflamed or infected tissue while leaving healthy, living cells intact.

This targeted approach removes diseased material without harming surrounding periodontal tissues, helping protect and preserve your dental condition better than traditional oral surgery with scalpels.

Benefit #3: Reduced Recovery Times

Not only do dental lasers selectively target infected tissues to vaporize bacteria and other harmful residue, but they also cauterize the tissues almost instantly, which can result in faster recoveries afterward. The laser’s heat minimizes tissue trauma while sterilizing the site and controlling bleeding, reducing infection risk and healing time.

For instance, the recovery time from traditional oral surgery can take between 2 and 4+ weeks and may require lifestyle changes, like dietary restrictions or less physical activity. You may even require additional follow-up visits to remove stitches or monitor healing progress. Meanwhile, many patients can resume more normal schedules and routines within 24 to 48 hours of completing a laser gum disease procedure.

If you think you may have gum disease but aren’t sure whether you need PerioLase LANAP treatment, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment to learn more.

Meet the Author

Dr. Bob Koenitzer takes pride in helping people build and maintain the happiest, healthiest versions of their smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, where he was recognized for clinical excellence. Today, he’s an award-winning provider who uses advanced technology, including PerioLase gum disease treatment, to offer a full menu of services to meet your unique needs conveniently under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or call (707) 766-6666.