Teeth are the tools our mouths have to break down food for digestion, but without the pink tissue that supports them, it would be a much more challenging task to perform.
Your gums (gingivae) sit below your teeth and above your upper and lower jawbone, and are essential in anchoring teeth in their sockets. They have several layers (frenum, mucosa, and gingiva) that support teeth, which also need to be appropriately taken care of to keep your mouth healthy.
When it comes to medical problems, sadly, some form of gum disease, whether it’s gingivitis or periodontitis, affects over 40% of adults in America. The long-term effects can cause problems not just in your mouth, but also in many other parts of your body. Laser gum treatments can help manage issues in this area without the pain and extended healing times associated with traditional surgery.
If you live in the East Village, Manhattan, New York, and you’re struggling with gum problems or other dental issues, Dr. Adam Nusblatt and the Nusblatt Dental team can help relieve the pain and heal the tissue.
Periodontitis is the inflammation and infection of the gums. If left untreated, it develops into periodontal disease (commonly known as gum disease), which spreads the infection into the jawbone and eventually to other parts of the body.
If you have it, the signs you’ll experience include purplish or reddish gums, soreness, bleeding, halitosis (bad breath), painful chewing, a bad taste in your mouth, receding gums, and changes in how your teeth align.
It happens in stages: gingivitis, followed by mild, moderate, and advanced periodontitis. The early stages are reversible, but as the disease progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to prevent the damage it causes.
Laser treatments generally offer minimally invasive solutions for managing diseases and other medical problems. When used on your gums, laser surgery, also called LANAP laser gum treatment or LANAP therapy, can help address several issues, including gum contouring and the treatment of gum disease.
We can recommend laser treatments after we’ve done scaling and root planing to manage gum issues as they arise.
In fact, laser treatments are approved by the FDA to manage not just gum issues, but also tooth whitening, endodontic procedures, and various types of oral surgery.
Traditional gum surgery typically involves being put under anesthesia, making incisions in the gums, treating the infected areas, and closing the wound. It’s undoubtedly effective, but pain and discomfort during the healing process are common, which can prolong recovery due to the invasive nature of the treatment. Laser gum treatment offers several benefits, including:
The precision of this method allows for preventing any damage to healthy teeth while eliminating harmful bacteria.
Lasers destroy bacteria in the gingival pockets without incisions, thereby reducing both bleeding and swelling.
Being able to adjust the power and control the wavelengths of the light used in this procedure means we can tailor the treatment to your needs.
All of these factors contribute to an effective treatment with reduced bleeding, the elimination of bacteria, and a shorter timeframe for everything to heal.
Gum disease can lead to several long-term issues, but laser gum treatments are an excellent solution for eliminating the root cause of gum disease and promoting a healthier mouth. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Nusblatt and the Nusblatt Dental staff today to learn how laser gum treatments can benefit you.
