Gum Treatments & Laser Therapies

When an advanced gum disease such as periodontitis develops, the risks of teeth loss increase by many folds as ligaments and the bone tissues that surround teeth are on the verge of being destroyed. If this disease cannot be controlled using simple procedures such as scaling and cleaning or i moderate cases, a deep gingival curettage, flap surgery is the next best option.

Flap surgery describes the most commonly used approach to plastic surgical repair of periodontal “pockets”. “Pockets” are areas below the gum line formed due to the detachment of tissue attached to the teeth resulting in an uncleanable space serving as an ideal environment for bacterias to survive. The formation of bacteria results in said inflammation, sensitivity and even bleeding and severe pain.

The biggest objective of flap surgery is to reduce the pocket itself such that bacterias cannot thrive. Procedurally, an incision shaped like a flap is made in the gum tissue. Diseased tissues are removed from the pocket, and the flap also provides easy access to the teeth’s root surfaces for a thorough cleaning, thus eliminating harmful plaque and calculus (tartar). On completion of the procedures, the “flap” is closed surgically, thus sealing the area. The healing process begins promptly and takes place rapidly.

Gum pigmentation is generally caused by melanin. It is a naturally occurring substance in our body responsible for producing colour that we find in freckles, sun spots or age spots. It is responsible for making you tan in the summertime. But unfortunately, some people have an overproduction of melanin in their gums resulting in pigmentation.

Chances are that you have already heard of teeth whitening and bleaching, but have you heard of gingival depigmentation or gum bleaching? It is just a fancy name for the removal of those brown or black spots. The end results are gums that look perfectly healthy and have a natural colour all across them.

There exist numerous methods of gum bleaching that have been developed to do this. Gum bleaching or lightening can be done using a whitening solution with a microdermabrasion process, or with a laser. Microdermabrasion is the more traditional process and takes about an hour to complete.

Both the methods gently and safely remove the superficial layer of pigmented tissue revealing the non-pigmented ones below. Local anaesthesia is done to prevent any discomfort during the entire procedure. The process is completely safe and gives instant results on the very same day.

Laser dentistry is the use of lasers to treat a number of different dental conditions. It became commercially used in clinical dental practice for procedures involving tooth tissue in 1989.

Laser dentistry potentially offers a more comfortable treatment option for a number of dental procedures involving hard or soft tissue compared to drills and other non-laser tools.

LASER stands for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” The instrument creates light energy in a very narrow and focused beam. This laser light produces a reaction when it hits tissue, allowing it to remove or shape the tissue.

Laser dentistry is used in a variety of procedures, including:

• treating hypersensitivity
• treating tooth decay
• treating gum disease
• whitening teeth

Lasers can make dental treatments more efficient, cost effective, and comfortable. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved laser dentistry as a treatment option for several dental conditions.

• There is potentially a decreased need for sutures with soft tissue lasers.
• Bleeding is minimized in treated soft tissues, as the laser promotes blood clotting.
• With some procedures, anesthesia is unnecessary.
• The chance for bacterial infections is lower because the laser sterilizes the area.
• Wounds can heal faster, and it’s possible for tissue to regenerate.
• The procedures may involve less damage to the surrounding tissues.