Laser Gum Surgery: Cost, Procedure, and Aftercare

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CLINICAL CONTENT REVIEWED BY IVY League Dental

Last Modified: February 2, 2023

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Laser Gum Surgery: Cost, Procedure and Aftercare

SNIPPET

Laser gum surgery is a painless and bloodless way to treat gum disease. It uses lasers instead of a scalpel and therefore doesn’t require cutting the gums like traditional gum surgery. The major goal of laser gum surgery is to reverse the damaging effects of bacteria and to help people maintain a healthy mouth. If oral health issues such as gum diseases are not treated on time, it can lead to some other severe issues. There can be multiple reasons behind the occurrence of issues associated with gums. Those who want to get rid of gum diseases should undergo proper treatment. 

A modern surgery alternative in which the dental healthcare professionals use lasers to enhance the oral health and smile of people is known as laser gum surgery. It is a method used to stimulate bone growth and kill bacterias present around the existing teeth. With the help of gums laser treatment, several dental and oral issues can be treated, such as gum diseases, tooth decay, hypersensitivity, and more. The laser surgery for gums also helps reshape gum tissues to reduce an individual’s gummy smile.

Laser gum surgery is also called LANAP( Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure)therapy or LANAP laser gum treatment. The gum surgery before and after results provides a better experience for people.

How much does laser treatment for gums cost?

The laser treatment for gums cost varies depending on multiple factors such as the severity of gum disease, where the dentist is located, and more. However, people having dental insurance can get some benefits as they can get laser surgery for gums done for a medical reason. The insurance might help cover the cost of treatment. 

How does laser gum surgery work?

The lasers used for gum surgery are the tubes that use pointed and powerful light beams of thermal energy to perform various tasks during the surgery. The laser can help cut and remove diseased tissue, kill bacteria and germs, coagulate blood vessels to form solid clots, sterilise the area, and more.

The laser starts working after creating an energy change in atoms. The laser light is responsible for shifting the atoms to their excited state from their current resting state. This causes the atom to produce spontaneous emission, which is a form of energy. When the atoms return to their resting state, they emit photons which are particles of light. This procedure provides the energy required to perform certain tasks, such as cutting tissues without using a blade. 

What procedures are involved in laser gum surgery?

The laser-assisted new attachment procedure, or LANAP, is often used to treat gum-related issues. Mentioned below are the major steps involved in the laser treatment for gums:

  • The dental healthcare provider will place the fibre optic tip of the laser at the top of the periodontal pocket. The laser is almost the size of three human hairs.
  • The laser will use pointed and powerful light to remove inflamed and diseased gum tissue from the pocket. The laser also removes bacteria and germs from the periodontal pocket, which might cause any disease.
  • Once the damaged tissues and bacteria are removed, the laser is set aside. 
  • The dentists then use an ultrasonic cleaning tool which helps in breaking apart and removing tartar and calcifications with sound waves.
  • The laser is used again for deeply cleaning the bottom and eliminating telltale debris.
  • The laser also sterilises bone and tissue and helps stimulate the formation of a blood clot. The blood clot helps the gum tissues to reattach to the tooth and speed up the healing speed. This doesn’t require the use of stitches. 

If an individual is having their entire mouth done, they might need to visit the dental healthcare professional twice or thrice. Each visit can last for half an hour to 1 hour. 

Aftercare for laser treatment for gums

People must take extra care once the laser surgery for gums is done. Mentioned below are some of the major steps that people should follow as aftercare for gum treatment. 

1. Take It Easy After The Surgery

Since the body needs to recover, people should take it easy after their appointment. For this reason, they must be sure to spend the rest of the day resting and not performing any tedious tasks. 

2. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Once the gums laser treatment is done, people can rinse their mouths every few hours with salt water. They can use a mixture of one teaspoon of salt and half a cup of warm water. They can swirl this mixture in their mouth for about 15 to 30 seconds. The saltwater solution provides multiple benefits, such as soothing the treated area, removing food debris from the mouth, and more. 

Individuals should also be careful and try not to spit the saltwater forcefully as it can dislodge the clot. They must use a soft-bristled toothbrush while brushing their teeth and carefully roll the bristles towards the teeth’ surface.

3. Opt for Smart Food Choices

After the gums laser treatment, people should opt for a liquid or a soft diet. The gums will have some tiny clots or scabs after the laser gum surgery. It is essential during the healing process that any unnecessary or excessive amount of chewing larger pieces of food do not dislodge these tiny clots. People can recover fast if they are on a liquid or soft diet. 

The bottom line

Laser surgery for gums is used for dental procedures such as treating gum-related issues, contouring the gums, eliminating gummy smiles, and more. It doesn’t require stitches and reduces postoperative bleeding as there is no cutting or scalpel. People having any issues associated with their oral and dental health must visit and consult the dental healthcare providers at IVY League Dental. Explore the website to know more.

Author
IVY League Dental

February 2, 2023

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