Do your gums bleed when you brush and floss your teeth? You may be developing periodontitis. Gingivitis, also known as gum inflammation, and periodontitis, also known as gum disease, are conditions that can lead to bone loss. However, Dr. Ratti Handa offers laser dentistry treatment for gums in Acton, MA. Often used along with other surgical and non-surgical treatments, laser dentistry is a safe way for patients to treat gum inflammation and disease.
What Is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy, or “photobiomodulation,” is the use of specific wavelengths of light to create therapeutic effects. These effects include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation, and decreased swelling.
Laser therapy is scientifically proven for treatment. There are over 15,000 published studies demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of laser therapy. Among these, there are more than one hundred rigorously controlled, scientific studies that document the effectiveness of laser for many clinical conditions.
There are a variety of different ways that laser therapy can help treat your pain:
- TMJ
- Neuralgia
- Pain
- Hypersensitivity
- Oral Mucositis
- Herpes
- Halitosis
- Post-Surgical Migraines
- Soft Tissue Trauma
- Stomatitis
- Implant Integration
- Trismus
- Facial Paralysis
How Does Laser Therapy Work?
During each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry in Acton
Patients who undergo laser dentistry treatments receive multiple benefits. Laser dentistry is a general dental treatment that:
- Does not require sutures
- Sterilizes gums
- Does not damage the teeth or gums
- Prevents blood loss during treatment
- Is safe for patients
Periodontics in Acton
Using the latest technology, Dr. Handa and her dental team are able to treat patients comprehensively in a comfortable manner. Learn about the treatments offered in Dr. Handa’s office:
Non-surgical Treatments
Non-surgical periodontal treatment can be useful for some patients. Root planing is a treatment that consists of cleaning and smoothing out the root surfaces so gum tissue can attach more firmly to the root. Planing can help reduce tooth and gum sensitivity as well as prevent tooth loss.
Scaling involves the removal of plaque and calculus from deep periodontal pockets. We can use soft and hard tissue lasers to remove infected gum tissue around a tooth. This will support the regeneration of healthy gum tissue.
Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal surgery becomes necessary when the tissue around your teeth has eroded severely. At this stage, non-surgical treatments are not enough to repair it. In these severe cases, you may need a tooth extraction. Patients who have already lost one or more teeth can benefit from dental implants to restore their smile.
Frenectomies for children & adults
Dr. Handa uses a dental laser to perform a frenectomy, the procedure for releasing a tongue tie or lip tie. We can treat tongue or lip ties in patients of all ages, including infants. A non-surgical procedure completed with only a local anesthetic, a frenectomy using a dental laser is safe and effective for children and adults.
Laser Dentistry FAQs
Is laser dental surgery painful?
Laser dentistry is a pain-free innovation in dentistry. Dentists are able to perform a wide range of procedures using lasers. They allow for precision, and patients report little to no pain after a laser procedure.
Are there any side effects or associated risks?
During more than twenty years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have been reported. Occasionally, some old injuries or pain syndromes may feel aggravated for a few days as the healing response is more active after treatment.
Can a dental laser remove old filling?
Your dentist can use dental lasers to remove old fillings. This gives your dentist extreme precision and gives the patient a comfortable pain-free procedure. However, they generally only use dental lasers to remove white fillings.
How safe is laser dentistry?
There is very little risk with laser dental procedures. Studies have shown the lasers to be safe to use under the correct power levels. The training your dentists has to use these tools ensures that the risk is very small.
What does laser dentistry feel like?
Laser dentistry is completely painless. Some patients report feeling some pressure or warmth against their gums, however anesthetic or numbing cream ensures that you feel nothing at all.
Does it hurt? What does a treatment feel like?
There is little or no sensation during treatment. Occasionally, the patient feels mild, soothing warmth, or tingling sensations. Areas of pain or inflammation may be sensitive briefly before pain reduction.
Can laser damage teeth?
Lasers can damage gum tissue or tooth pulp, however this is extremely rare. These medical devices are safe and effective for a variety of treatments that include gum disease and plaque removal. Dental lasers allow us to work with extreme precision, so it is abnormal for them to cause any damage during laser treatment.
How long does it take for gums to heal after a laser treatment?
Gums may be slightly sensitive for a week or two. This is entirely normal with the procedure. After exposing gums to ultraviolet light, they will become tender and temporarily sensitive. However, this will subside on a couple of days after your procedure.
How long before results are felt from laser therapy?
You may feel improvement in your condition (usually pain reduction) after the very first treatment. Sometimes, you will not feel improvement for a number of treatments. This does not mean that the condition is not improving. Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 3 or 4 sessions.
How often should a patient receive laser therapy?
Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week, tapering to once every week or two as improvement is seen.
Request A Dental Exam Today
Fight off gum infection. Call our Acton, MA office today for periodontal and laser dentistry treatment at 978.212.3783. You may also schedule a consultation with Dr. Handa and her team on our website. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about periodontics. We will be happy to discuss the best options for restoring your smile to optimum functioning and beauty.
