Laser assisted periodontal surgery is one of the latest and revolutionary treatments for periodontal disease. It is an effective method to treat periodontal disease without the need for cutting and suturing. It is a non-invasive and painless procedure for treating gum disease.
Causes of Periodontitis
Periodontal disease usually starts with the hardening of plaque to form tartar or calculus. This calculus gets deposited between the gums and teeth and harbor bacteria that infect the gums. Initial stages are known as gingivitis characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed. Untreated gingivitis may lead to periodontitis which leads to formation of pockets that separate teeth from gums and surrounding tissue. This may eventually lead to tooth loss.
If you thought that scalpel and sutures or gum surgery is the only way to treat periodontal disease, then you would be happy to know that lasers provide a much better alternative.
Procedure
The procedure involves inserting a small laser fiber (approximately as thick as three strands of hair) between gums and teeth to remove the bacteria. The entire process takes only a couple of hours and the treatment can be concluded in one single visit.
Benefits
- Less discomfort compared to traditional surgical methods using scalpel and sutures.
- Less time (usually one visit of two to three hours)compared to traditional surgery that takes atleast four visits for treatment and subsequent visists for suture removal.
- Long lasting results.
- Faster recovery time usually one day when compared to traditional methods that typically require two to four weeks of healing time.
- Safe for patients with other medical conditions such as diabetes, haemophilia etc.
If you have any queries or doubts regarding the procedure, talk to one of our dentists who would be happy to help you.