When you neglect your dental hygiene, you run the risk of eventually developing gum disease. Don’t let this happen to you! Gingivitis is the primary stage of gum disease where the bacteria in plaque build up to a point that causes the gums to become irritated and inflamed. With proper treatment and care, gingivitis can be reversed; however, when left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis. In mouths with periodontitis, the gums slowly pull apart from the tooth, creating pockets that can foster the collection and growth of bacteria. Over time, the bacteria eat away at your teeth and causing them to become loose, and potentially fall out. Periodontitis is not as easily reversed as gingivitis and often requires some form of surgery to correct.
Several procedures have proven to be successful in treating gum disease. Flap surgery is a process that involves lifting the gums to remove plaque buildup from under the gums. Bone and tissue grafts can be used to help re-build the bone and gum tissue that was potentially lost due to periodontitis. Today, the preferred treatment for gum disease is often with lasers. We’ve compiled a few of the benefits of laser treatment for gum disease.
Benefits of Laser Treatment for Gum Disease
- More effective – according to the American Academy of Periodontology, laser treatment for gum disease, when used in conjunction with scaling and root planning, improves the effectiveness of the procedure
- Minimally invasive – laser treatment for gum disease is minimally invasive and a safe alternative to traditional surgical procedures. Bonus: minimally invasive means less painful!
- Quicker – laser gum therapy can be completed in 1-2 visits, where traditional surgery can take up to 4-8 visits. Additionally, the healing and recovery period for laser treatment is significantly shorter
- Preserve more of the healthy tooth – because of the high precision of laser technology, dentists are able to more accurately pinpoint the problem areas of the tooth and remove them without causing more damage to the healthy tooth
Periodontics in SE Michigan at Pointe Dental Group
Dr. Joanne Yihan is a specially trained periodontist at Pointe Dental Group. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, Dr. Yihan will work with you to treat your condition and develop a plan to take care of the disease once and for all. If you’re interested in learning more about laser treatment for gum disease, contact Pointe Dental Group today! You can reach us at our two locations:
Grosse Pointe Farms: (313) 881-2480
Shelby Township: (586) 803-8300
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