Laser Gum Surgery
Dentistry has witnessed enormous advances during the two decades I have been practicing. I am fascinated by new procedures and take pride in my cutting edge practice. Because of this, I was the first periodontist in Georgia to use laser light technology for laser gum surgery. We specialize in implant procedures and now in using growth factors from your blood to promote faster healing for my patients. I frequently attend conferences and learning seminars that keep me up to date for my patients.
When our patients need gum surgery, at Atlanta Periodontics we offer state of the art options to minimize their discomfort and maximize their healing. The benefits of a laser surgery versus conventional surgery are clear. We find that laser surgery also benefits our patients because it involves fewer visits than traditional surgery requires.
LASER GUM SURGERY DIFFERENCE
Traditional gum surgery, as performed by most periodontists, involves extensive shots for numbing and using a scalpel to cut the gums, pulling them back to expose teeth roots and jawbone. They then clean the infected area, examine the jawbone and repair as needed (reshaped or grafted). The dentist stitches the gums back into place.
Using the laser for gum therapy, my patients have a much healthier experience and outcome. There are no scalpels and no sutures! Laser light cuts the gums, not scalpels. As a result, there is no need to cut the gums to expose teeth roots and jaw. The laser light removes infected tissue lining the gum and kills the bacteria causing the infection. We clean the roots ultrasonically. We then use the laser to seal around the tooth, allowing your body to regenerate the attachment of gum and new bone to tooth. There is no gum amputation as with traditional surgery. Unlike a handheld scalpel, the laser is more precise. The laser promotes healthy, natural healing.
POST-OP DIFFERENCES
Laser gum surgery is less invasive than traditional. It dramatically reduces patients’ downtime, healing time, and discomfort time. Therefore, in a few days my patients are back to normal, with no stitches, less pain and much less chance of infection. Downtime for traditional scalpel surgery can be 2-4 weeks!
Both forms of gum surgery treat unhealthy gums, but with dramatic differences. Traditional surgery removes more gum tissue, exposing the roots of the teeth. This leads to sensitivity and increased risk of cavities on teeth roots. Aesthetically, the teeth appear longer as gum is removed and more tooth is exposed. Laser surgery does not remove gum tissue and promotes the regeneration of the gums to the natural attachment to the tooth. However, using the laser, I see very little gum recession, so the roots are not exposed, sensitivity and cavity risk are minimized, and the aesthetic look is not changed. I find that using the laser for my patients who need gum surgery is their best choice, too!
If you are in need of laser gum surgery in Atlanta or other dental services, please call my office today to schedule a consultation, 404-255-9511.
Email me, atlperio@gmail.com, with your questions or concerns about dental health for children and adults.