Periodontal Therapy including Laser Treatment

Dr. Tevebaugh is proud to offer the latest technology available for periodontal therapy: laser treatment. There are numerous advantages to using laser therapy as opposed to the traditional methods requiring a scalpel and sutures.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry:

Comfort:

With laser treatment, there is reduced or no bleeding, minimized swelling, no charring, and no drill noise or vibration. The stress and anxiety often associated with dental work is therefore eliminated when you experience quick, effective, and essentially pain-free laser procedures. Also, postoperative sensitivity is greatly limited by laser dentistry, and recovery time is much quicker than with traditional methods. In fact, due to the less-invasive nature of the laser technique, the mouth begins to heal immediately after work is completed!

Reduced Risk of Infection:

The laser’s high-energy light beam acts as a sterilizer on the area it is working, thereby reducing the risk of bacterial infections and relapses.

Anesthesia Limited or Eliminated:

Because laser dentistry is virtually painless, no longer will you suffer with fear of injections and numbness. Often, only a light anesthetic spray is required.

Uses of Dental Lasers:

Dr. Tevebaugh can perform a variety of procedures using laser technology, such as a frenectomy, osseous surgery, and gum grafting. Our hygienists are also able to use laser technology as a way to regenerate healthy gums and remove diseases areas in a virtually painless way. This method also encourages healthy gum to regenerate and attach to the teeth. There is a much lower chance of gum disease returning when laser therapy is used as opposed to traditional surgery.

Lasers have revolutionized multiple industries, and oral care is no exception.

Understanding Periodontal Disease

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the supporting tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place. The condition affects mainly adults, according the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NICDR), and is usually caused by:

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Smoking
  • Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes
  • Certain medications
  • Genetic susceptibility

Typical treatment for periodontal disease is scaling and root planing (SRP), which is a non-surgical method of cleaning the surfaces of the teeth and their root which may be exposed due to gum recession. This removes tartar, plaque and bacteria from the gum surrounding the root, and promotes the healthy regeneration of the gum tissue.

How Laser Therapy Works

Our hygienist’s have combined 40 years of experience and have had extensive training in treating periodontal disease. When determining the need for periodontal therapy an evaluation is done using a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the space between the teeth and the gums, and x-rays are taken to see whether the bone is damaged. Depending on the disease progression, the following treatments are used:

  • More frequent cleaning intervals
  • Periodontal Therapy in conjunction with Laser Therapy sessions
  • Supportive Periodontal Management Sessions

Risks and Benefits

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), there are ample benefits to using lasers for excising diseased gum tissue:

  • Lasers can target the diseased areas precisely and accurately.
  • Bleeding, pain and swelling are limited because periodontal laser therapy is less invasive than regular surgery.
  • Recovery and healing times are shorte