Laser Gum Contouring: The Breakthrough Solution for Gum Disease Treatment

How dental laser technology can improve patient comfort and sculpt healthier smiles.

Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a serious oral health condition that can negatively impact a patient’s overall health and well-being. It is also the leading cause of adult tooth loss, which can affect everything from nutrition to self-confidence. While gum disease has often been associated with sharp scalpels and painful surgery, there is a less-invasive alternative: laser gum contouring. Precisely targeting the infected area, laser gum contouring preserves healthy tissue while minimizing pain, bleeding, and swelling for a better patient experience and faster recovery.

This article will explore the use cases of lasers in modern dentistry, the tools required, and how laser gum contouring can effectively and efficiently treat patients suffering from gum disease.

About laser dentistry

The use of lasers in dentistry was first approved by the FDA in the 1990s. Dental lasers use specific wavelengths to treat a variety of oral health issues. These wavelengths can reshape gums, remove infected tissue, detect and treat tooth decay, kill bacteria, treat hypersensitivity, reduce inflammation, whiten teeth, and more. While some lasers emit a single wavelength to perform a specific task, the next generation of dental diode laser systems can switch between several wavelengths to cover a wide range of applications in the dental office.

How effective is laser treatment for gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection that can destroy gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Laser gum contouring, also referred to as gingival contouring, is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to reshape gums and remove excess tissue for a more pleasing and symmetrical smile. For patients with gum disease, laser gum contouring can be a less painful and faster healing alternative to traditional surgery. It eliminates the need for a scalpel, reduces bleeding and discomfort, requires no stitches, and even shortens recovery time. How does this work?

A modern approach to treating gum disease, the laser precisely targets diseased tissue, cauterizing blood vessels, sealing nerve endings in its path, and stimulating tissue growth. The procedure also kills bacteria to help tissue heal faster and optimize patient outcomes. Furthermore, patients can resume normal activities soon after the procedure, minimizing downtime. When more than 42% of Americans over the age of 30 have gum disease, laser therapy can be a highly effective way to treat patients and put them on the road to healing faster.

Modern tools for treating gum disease with lasers

Dental Laser Systems

Dental lasers can feature single or multiple wavelengths. Many modern devices have a range of wavelengths, offering the flexibility of providing many treatment options in a single tool, from treating gum disease and peri-implantitis to preparing cavities for fillings and more. When treating gum disease and cutting soft tissue, these highly versatile tools optimize efficiency and patient recovery, ensuring minimal pain, bleeding, and postoperative swelling.

Laser Tips

While different wavelengths perform different tasks, so do the tips used on laser systems. For example, there are laser tips designed specifically for soft tissue cutting, caries treatment, deep-tissue and pain therapy, endo sterilization, and teeth whitening.

Disposable laser tips, such as SOL 4mm Laser Tips, come in packs of 25 for single-use convenience and optimal hygiene. These tips work with SOL laser units that operate at 3 watts in continuous mode and 5 watts in pulse mode, with a high-contrast blue aiming beam for visibility and ease of use. Ideal for gum line reshaping, periodontal care, and tissue sterilization, the tips cut cleaner than a scalpel and promote faster healing.

Conclusion: Laser gum contouring optimizes gum disease treatment

Healthy teeth and gums can dramatically improve patient health, nutrition, and overall quality of life. Gums also play a critical role in smile aesthetics and patient confidence. Today’s laser technology can target and treat gum disease to prevent tooth loss, eliminate oral pain, and speed up the healing process. A highly effective and minimally invasive treatment, laser gum contouring gives patients many reasons to smile.