Did you know that dentists use lasers? Dental lasers are valuable dental tools that use a concentrated beam of light energy to gently cut or contour tissue. At Wesley Dental, we use lasers to treat the gums. Lasers can provide gum contouring for a gummy smile and tissue removal for patients with gum disease. We also use dental lasers for cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry treatments Laser dentistry in our Greenville, TX office offers a more comfortable and precise alternative to traditional surgical methods.
Dental lasers are a part of the modern technology we use in our office to help patients improve their oral health. A laser uses different light energy wavelengths to eliminate bacteria and cut tissue. Lasers are quick, quiet, and hygienic dental tools that utilize heat as a cutting and sterilizing instrument.
The Benefits of Dental Lasers
Dental lasers are unique but comfortable dental tools. Laser dentistry offers many advantages to dental patients:
- Comfortable care
- Precise treatment
- Minimal post-treatment bleeding
- Quick healing times
- Quiet treatment
- No sutures
Dental lasers are less invasive than other surgical tools. You don’t have to worry about loud drills or pain with laser treatment. Lasers are also sterile; the heat from the laser eliminates harmful bacteria in the mouth to prevent infection as you heal. Because lasers seal the tissues, they reduce post-operative discomfort and bleeding.
Dental lasers are a safe alternative to surgery with less chance of damage to surrounding tissue. Lasers use a small, concentrated tip to cut or contour tissue.
Types of Lasers
There are two types of dental lasers: hard and soft tissue lasers. A hard tissue dental laser treats the teeth. With a laser, dentists can whiten teeth, treat cavities, prepare the tooth enamel, and repair fillings.
Our dental office uses a soft tissue laser. Soft tissue lasers treat the gums and other tissues in the mouth. These lasers can treat gummy smiles, mouth sores, gum disease, tongue-ties, and lip-ties. We gently cut and contour the gum tissue with a laser to improve the look and health of your teeth and gums.
Laser Dentistry in Greenville, TN
Dental lasers have many uses, from tooth preparation to whitening. We use dental lasers at Wesley Dental to treat gummy smiles and gum disease:
Gummy Smile
A gummy smile is a smile that has excess gum tissue over the teeth. Excess gum tissue can make the teeth appear small or boxy. Laser gum contouring is a cosmetic treatment that helps remove and reshape the gum tissue.
First, we will numb your mouth and provide you with protective eyewear. Then, we will use the dental laser to gently cut the excess gum tissue. Gum contouring shows more of your natural teeth for a more even look.
Gum Disease
Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a progressive infection that inflames and irritates the gum tissue. Once you develop moderate to severe gum disease, deep gum pockets form as the gums pull away from the teeth. Plaque and tartar collect in these pockets, leading to more inflammation and discomfort.
Laser gum therapy uses a dental laser to treat gum pockets as an alternative to traditional gum surgery. During this treatment, we clean bacteria from the gums and remove diseased tissue.
To begin laser therapy, we give you protective eyewear. We will use the laser to remove diseased tissue around the tooth root. Then, we will remove harmful bacteria from your gum pockets. The laser uses specific wavelengths to kill harmful bacteria and sterilize the gums. On average, this treatment can take one to two hours.
Laser Dentistry: Post-Op Care
Feeling gum sensitivity after your soft tissue treatment is normal. Sticking to liquids and soft foods for the first few days after treatment will help reduce gum irritation. Avoid alcohol, hot beverages, or spicy foods as you heal. These substances can increase gum sensitivity and pain.
You can also take pain medication as prescribed and apply a cold compress if you experience swelling. We also recommend elevating your head when sleeping or resting. This will reduce swelling and ensure you heal quickly.
We will provide you with detailed instructions to follow after treatment. However, if you have any questions during the healing process, please contact our office.
Laser Dentistry FAQs
Learn more about laser dentistry in our Greenville, TX, office with answers to these common questions:
Are dental lasers painful?
No. Dental lasers use heat, but you will not feel pain during laser treatment. We can also use local anesthetic in some cases for your comfort.
Are dental lasers safe?
Yes, dental lasers are safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the sale of dental lasers. Our dentists are trained to perform laser therapy using specific types of lasers. Dentists must be trained using the specific types of lasers, as different lasers require different handling.
Is dental laser treatment fast?
Dental lasers offer faster treatment than other options because they are so precise. Handheld lasers also allow our dentists to target different parts of the mouth and effectively remove tissue. At the same time, laser treatment is precise and will not affect surrounding tissue.
How long does it take for gums to heal after laser treatment?
It can take two to four weeks for your gums to heal after dental laser treatment. If you have deep gum pockets, your gums can take a month or two to heal. Following post-op instructions will help ensure you heal comfortably.
Do the gums grow back after gum contouring?
No, your gums will not grow back if we treat your gummy smile. Gum contouring is a permanent treatment. Your tissue will not regenerate after we contour and remove your excess gum tissue.
Can I have coffee or tea after laser gum treatment?
We do not recommend consuming hot beverages directly after laser treatment. Hot foods and drinks can irritate your sensitive gums. However, you can have iced tea or coffee.
Get Comfortable Laser Treatment
Treat gum problems with laser dentistry at Wesley Dental in Greenville, TX. Call 903-270-5279 or schedule an appointment with Dr. Taylor and Dr. Marshall online. If you have any questions about your gum health or laser treatment, please ask us at your next visit. We’re here to help you get treatment tailored to you.