Gum Treatment

Gum disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults, yet many people avoid treatment for gum disease because they are fearful that the procedures would be invasive or painful. For mild cases of gum disease, Luma Dentistry offers gentle cleaning and scaling to remove the bacteria causing the disease. For more advanced cases, the doctors at Luma Dentistry can provide laser gum treatment as a more comfortable alternative to gum surgery. For mild or intermediate cases of gum disease, your gums can be comfortably restored to full health with our conventional treatment methods, including cleaning and scaling, and treatment with dental antibiotics. For more advanced cases, Luma Dentistry is one of only a handful of area dentists to offer laser gum treatment as a safe and comfortable alternative to gum surgery.

Laser Treatment for More Advanced Gum Disease

Luma Dentistry’s state-of-the-art Diode Laser, designed for the soft tissues of the mouth, helps us remove and kill bacteria that cause gum disease. The laser is extremely precise, which encourages rapid healing and comfortable treatment.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection of the gum and of the bones, which support the teeth. If it is not treated, it can cause the bone to dissolve. As the bone shrinks, your teeth become loose and ultimately are lost. More than 75 million Americans over the age of 35 suffer from gum disease, and it is the number one cause of tooth loss. Patients suffering from gum disease can also expect to have a higher incidence of other illnesses.

• Heart Disease can be increased by 150%
• Chances of stroke can increase by 300%
• The risk of having a premature birth or delivering a low birth weight baby can be increased by 700%
• The increased risk of respiratory infection can be increased by 500%

Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of bacteria on the teeth, which forms dental plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it will attach to the root surface inside the gum and produce a pocket, causing constant irritation to the adjacent gum. The gum becomes swollen, will appear slightly to moderately red, and can result in frequent bleeding. When the gums reach this stage, it is called gingivitis. If gingivitis is not controlled, the bone will begin to dissolve in order to avoid bacteria. Once the bone begins to dissolve, we call this state of gum disease periodontitis. Eventually, the teeth become loose and may abscess or be lost.

Laser Gum Treatment

Laser gum treatment is an advanced technique used by Dr. John to treat gum disease and save teeth that were previously considered beyond help. A laser light is used to gently remove harmful bacteria and diseased tissue from the gum pocket. This allows the body to heal naturally so that the gum pockets improve and the teeth become more stable. The laser is a wonderful tool that will help many patients bring themselves to a more healthy state.

Benefits of Laser vs. Traditional Gum Surgery

• It is less traumatic but highly effective
• It involves no cutting of the gum tissue with a scalpel
• No stitches are needed after laser treatment
• Laser treatment preserves the gum tissue rather than cutting it away
• Since there is no cutting, there is reduced root exposure and sensitivity
• Post-treatment infection is less likely

Find Out if Laser Treatment is Right for You!

If you have signs of gum disease, such as loose teeth or gums that bleed easily, please come in for a consultation with Dr. John. He will evaluate your gums and teeth and let you know what you need to do to preserve your teeth.