Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Many times, gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene, but can also be caused by several other factors, such as:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Diabetes
- Hormonal changes
- Dry mouth
- Medications
- Genetics
If you’re worried that you may have gum disease, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. He or she is the only one who can truly determine what is causing your symptoms. When scheduling your appointment, let the dental team member know if you are experiencing any of these warning signs:
- Constant bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- Sensitive or bleeding gums
- Pain while eating
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Longer appearing teeth (receding gums)
After a thorough examination, your dentist will be able to determine if you have periodontal disease and which stage it is in. Your dentist will then explain the different types of treatments.
Here’s an overview of periodontal disease laser dental treatment options:
1. Scaling and Root Planing
For patients with a mild case of gum disease, scaling and root planing is the most conservative option. Often called a “deep dental cleaning,” this nonsurgical, affordable treatment involves these simple steps:
- Administering an anesthetic to numb the infected area
- Carefully removing built-up tartar from below the gum line
- Smoothing rough areas of the tooth roots, where plaque tends to accumulate
This process encourages the gums to reattach to the tooth roots to restore strong gums and good oral health. Your dentist may also suggest incorporating an antiseptic mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine.
2. Laser Gum Surgery
During this procedure, your dentist will use a tiny laser fiber to clear away infection between the tooth and gum. This is a new and improved way of treating gum disease. Dentists who don’t use lasers in their practice may use scalpel and suture gum surgery. Laser periodontal treatment is less invasive and patients’ recovery time is faster than with traditional gum surgery.
3. Laser Pocket Decontamination
Periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease, can now be treated non-surgically with laser pocket decontamination. Once plaque deposits have been removed from your teeth, the dentist will use a precise dental laser to eliminate bacteria in the periodontal pockets.
This creates an environment that encourages healing and improves your chance of recovery from periodontal disease.
4. Gum Grafts
When a patient has advanced periodontitis, the gums have moved away from the tooth root. Some gum tissue has died, and bone begins to atrophy as well. This can cause intense tooth sensitivity, an unappealing appearance, and exposure of the tooth roots.
To protect your teeth from these damaging effects, and lower your risk of tooth loss, gum grafts are usually the preferred option. Gum grafts involve taking soft tissue from the roof of your mouth and placing it around the roots of your teeth. As the graft site heals, fresh new tissue is created, absent of disease.
5. Guided Tissue Regeneration
Using membranes or bioactive gels and agents, this surgical procedure does exactly what it says it does—regenerates lost gum and bone tissue.
6. Bone Grafting
In the most advanced stages of gum disease, the jawbone begins to deteriorate. Unfortunately, this usually results in tooth loss. However, with bone grafting, your dentist will restore lost bone in order to place dental implants, either to replace individual teeth or to secure dentures.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Looking for a laser dentist in Austin, TX? Call our friendly team at Austin Laser Dentist at 512-346-4690 to make an appointment with Dr. Helen Ragsdale.
