Is Laser Gum Surgery Painful?
You just recently had your six-month dental exam and were informed that you have periodontal disease. No one really wants to hear that they have infected gums, but there is now a wide range of treatment options to choose from, depending on the severity of your gum disease. As an example, laser gum surgery therapy is a much less invasive option than traditional oral surgery, and it is quickly gaining in popularity.
The innovative use of lasers has dramatically revolutionized a range of different industries. That list now includes the dental health care field. This is indeed an exciting, inspirational breakthrough, with more research studies ongoing for this periodontal disease treatment option. Converse with your dental team about how your unique and personal treatment plan should be designed.
How Does Laser Gum Surgery Work?
Dental lasers deliver specific energy in pinpointed light beam frequencies of thermal energy to perform multiple treatments during gum surgery. Lasers can:
- Target and remove specific diseased tissue.
- Coagulate blood vessels to create and form solid blood clots to promote healing.
- Eliminate germs and damaging bacteria.
- Sterilize the entire damaged area.
Dental lasers function by creating an energy change in atoms. The laser light creates a shift in the atoms from their current resting state to a stage called an excited state. This causes the atoms to produce energy known as spontaneous emission.
When the excited atoms return to their resting state, they emit particles of light called photons. This process then provides the calculated energy required to perform certain functions, like cutting any soft tissue without using a scalpel.
Is Laser Gum Surgery Painful?
Laser gum surgery is, for the most part, completely painless. But it is still a medical treatment. It is possible you might feel an itching or burning sensation while the laser is directed at your gums.
Laser gum surgery treatments are much less invasive than gum flap surgery, so you should expect significantly less pain. You could experience some minor discomfort during the procedure, so your dentist could administer a local anesthetic to help manage the discomfort.
Is Gum Surgery Effective?
The overwhelming majority of clinical trials on laser gum surgery have yielded a success rate of 88 percent or higher. It is equally effective as the traditional gum treatment methods and delivers a quicker healing period.
Healing and Recovery
You may resume your normal activities the day after surgery, or it might take several days to feel completely normal. You could feel mild soreness for several days. Other temporary side effects could include:
- Some very minor bleeding.
- Very slight swelling.
- Some mild discoloration of the gum tissue.
The healing process usually takes a week. During that time, your dentist might recommend:
- To not brush or floss the surgical area.
- Rinse your mouth and let the water or mouthwash fall out gently by not spitting.
- Eat a soft food diet.
- Abstain from using nicotine products like cigarettes.
Laser surgery can decrease and even eliminate gum disease. However, to keep your mouth clean and free from further infection, you must maintain good oral hygiene habits. These include:
- Brushing twice daily and flossing once daily.
- Seeing your dentist twice a year for a preventive care checkup and professional cleaning.