
There are a variety of methods for treating periodontal (gum) disease depending on its severity — from routine office cleanings to periodontal surgery. But the goal behind all of them remains the same: remove bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar), the root cause for gum disease, from all tooth and gum surfaces.
The traditional method for doing this is called scaling in which we use special hand instruments (scalers) to mechanically remove plaque and calculus. Scaling and a similar procedure called root planing (the root surfaces are “planed” smooth of plaque to aid tissue reattachment) require quite a bit of skill and experience. They're also time-consuming: full treatment can take several sessions, depending on how extensive the infection has spread.
In recent years, we've also seen a new method emerge for removing plaque: lasers. Commonly used in other aspects of healthcare, lasers utilize a focused beam of light to destroy and remove diseased or unhealthy tissue while, according to studies and firsthand accounts, minimizing healthy tissue destruction to a better degree than traditional techniques. Procedure and healing times are likewise reduced.
Because of these beneficial characteristics, we are seeing their use in gum disease treatment, especially for removing diseased and inflamed tissues below the gum line and decreasing sub-gingival (“below the gums”) bacteria.
Dentists who have used lasers in this way do report less tissue damage, bleeding and post-treatment discomfort than traditional treatments. But because research is just beginning, there's not enough evidence to say laser treatment is preferably better than conventional treatment for gum disease.
At this point, lasers can be an effective addition to conventional gum disease treatment for certain people, especially those in the early stages of the disease. As we continue to study this technology, though, the day may come when lasers are the preferred way to stop gum disease from ruining your dental health.
If you would like more information on treating gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Lasers Versus Traditional Cleanings for Treating Gum Disease.”
Comments:
Find Us
Curt P. Posey, DDS, INC.
Fresno, CA 93720

Request Appointment
Our office has flexible hours to fit your busy schedule
Patient Eductation

Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- mouthguard (3)
- oral health (26)
- celebrity smiles (82)
- dental injuries (4)
- oral hygiene (31)
- orthodontics (10)
- tads (2)
- General Dentistry (1)
- pediatric care (2)
- pregnancy (3)
- teeth whitening (3)
- cosmetic dentistry (14)
- dental implants (22)
- gum recession (2)
- periodontal disease (3)
- gum disease (16)
- Sedation Dentist (1)
- Fresno (2)
- braces (8)
- aging (1)
- Reviews (1)
- oral surgery (2)
- oral cancer (3)
- orthodontic treatment (17)
- pediatric dentistry (19)
- sedation dentistry (5)
- jaw surgery (1)
- financing (1)
- tooth loss (2)
- retainers (3)
- Root Canal Treatment (5)
- gap (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- dental injury (7)
- stress (1)
- dental care (3)
- tooth grinding (1)
- dental health (1)
- dental implant (4)
- veneers (6)
- cracked tooth (1)
- Removable Dentures (1)
- crowns (4)
- dental anxiety (2)
- bonding (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- fillings (2)
- Toothbrush (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- chipped teeth (1)
- tooth pain (3)
- root canal (5)
- bad breath (2)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- anchorage devices (1)
- tooth decay (6)
- dental crowns (2)
- restorative dentistry (6)
- tooth wear (1)
- anesthesia (1)
- mouthguards (2)
- nutrition (3)
- Root Canals (2)
- mouth guard (1)
- porcelain veneers (1)
- laser dentistry (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- dental bonding (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- snoring (3)
- sleep apnea (3)
- missing teeth (2)
- teeth grinding (1)
- bonded retainer (2)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth extraction (1)
- plaque (1)
- root resorption (1)
- jaw pain (1)
- tmj (1)
- toothache (1)
- partial denture (2)
- bridge (1)
- cancer treatment (1)
- professional teeth cleanings (1)
- bone loss (1)
- fluoride (2)
- dentures (2)
- cleft lip (2)
- cleft palate (2)
- retainer (2)
- Filling (1)
- smile makeover (2)
- crown lengthening (2)
- local anesthesia (1)
- space maintainer (1)
- teething (1)
- Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure (1)
- dental exam (1)
- sealants (3)
- Implants (1)
- chewing tobacco (1)
- sugar (1)
- mouth sore (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment (1)