“Periodontal” simply means gum tissue–the gums that hold your teeth in place. Periodontal health, or gum health, is essential to maintaining strong, healthy teeth, but it’s also interwoven with whole-body health. Dr. Helen Ragsdale offers laser treatments for periodontal. Austin, TX, has many dentists for you to choose from, but Dr. Ragsdale offers patients an extraordinary experience with laser periodontal treatments.
What is periodontal disease?
Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is a group of gum tissue infections that include: gingivitis, periodontal disease, advanced periodontal disease, and periodontitis.
Naturally-occuring plaque forms on and between teeth, accumulating on the gumline, where teeth and gums meet.
Within 48 hours, soft plaque calcifies into a hard substance we call tartar or calculus. While plaque can be removed at home by brushing and flossing, tartar is not water soluble. Only a dental hygienist or dentist can remove plaque.
Left on teeth, tartar irritates gum tissue and allows harmful oral bacteria to infect the gums. Infection spreads vertically down a tooth, below the gum line, and to the root. Gum disease also spreads horizontally, and the spread can be quite fast. Without treatment, gum disease harms oral and overall health.
Results of Untreated Periodontal Disease (Austin, TX)
Periodontal disease is the primary cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. As infection spreads, over time gum and bone tissue can die (called necrosis), leaving teeth without structural support. Therefore, teeth fall out. To install replacement teeth, all dead gum and bone tissue must first be removed, then restored with grafts.
Dr. Ragsdale offers laser treatment for all levels of gum disease and, if necessary, can refer a patient to a periodontist for treatment of periodontitis with necrosis.
Research also connects periodontal disease with these conditions:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes complications
- Low-weight births
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Pulmonary diseases
Laser Treatments for Periodontal Care (Austin, TX)
Using a soft tissue laser, Dr. Ragsdale performs minimally invasive gum disease treatment.
In the past, gum surgery required cutting damaged and dead tissue with a scalpel, then suturing the open wounds. Afterward, gums had to be packed with gauze, which required wound care. Recovery was painful and took weeks.
In contrast, a laser seals periodontal tissue as it trims away infected and diseased tissue, so no scalpel (blade) or stitches (sutures) are required. Without stitches, gums heal very fast! You should be back to work the very next day.
Do you need laser treatment for periodontal care in Austin?
Visit us online at www.austinlaserdentist.com or call 512-346-4690 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Ragsdale. With years of experience and hundreds of completed laser periodontal cases, Dr. Ragsdale will apply her skills and knowledge to your personalized treatment plan. If you fear the dentist or are concerned about pain during treatment, ask about sedation dentistry. Dr. Ragsdale and our team want you to remain comfortable at appointments and confident that we’ll always take great care of you and your loved ones.
