
Reviewed by Dr. Matthew Young, DDS
Reading time: five minutes.
Gum disease can sneak up on you, causing damage beyond just your gums. Laser gum treatment offers a gentle alternative to traditional gum disease surgery. If you are dealing with advanced periodontitis, laser therapy provides an effective treatment option for your oral health.
At Young Dental SF Group in San Francisco, we use advanced laser technology to treat gum disease. In this blog, we will explain what laser gum treatment is, who can benefit from this procedure, and what to expect during treatment.
Table of Contents
- What Is Laser Gum Treatment?
- Who Is a Candidate for Laser Gum Treatment?
- The Laser Gum Treatment Procedure
- Schedule Your Laser Gum Treatment in San Francisco, CA
- Patient Reviews
Key Takeaway
Laser gum treatment is a minimally invasive, effective option for treating gum disease, offering faster healing, reduced discomfort, and improved long-term oral health compared to traditional surgical methods.
What Is Laser Gum Treatment?
Laser gum treatment, also known as laser periodontal therapy, is a minimally invasive dental procedure that uses concentrated light energy to target and remove infected tissue, leaving healthy tissue intact. This modern form of surgery can treat gum disease, whether it’s mild or severe, without the need for cutting or stitching like in traditional gum surgery.
Benefits of Laser Gum Treatment
Laser gum treatment offers several advantages over traditional methods:
- Minimally invasive: Doesn’t require scalpels or sutures.
- Minimal bleeding and swelling: The laser seals blood vessels during the procedure, leading to minimal bleeding, less discomfort, and a shorter recovery time.
- Faster healing: Recovery is quicker, with less swelling compared to traditional gum surgery.
- Lower risk of infection: The heat from the laser energy sterilizes the area, reducing the risk of infection during and after the surgical procedure.
- Precision and efficiency: Lasers precisely remove infected tissue and harmful bacteria while preserving healthy tissue.
Who Is a Candidate for Laser Gum Treatment?
Laser gum therapy is ideal for individuals in the early to moderate stages of gum disease, such as those with gum pockets up to 6 mm deep, bleeding or swollen gums, and loosening teeth. It can also address more advanced gum recession in non-surgical cases.
If you’ve tried deep cleanings but haven’t seen much improvement, you’re an ideal candidate for LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure)—especially if you want to avoid invasive surgery. The laser works to regenerate both gum tissue and bone in moderate cases of periodontal disease.
However, if your gum pockets are deeper than 6 mm, you may need a more aggressive surgical grafting approach.
The Laser Gum Treatment Procedure
The laser gum treatment procedure is often completed in a single visit. Here’s what to expect:
- Initial consultation: Your dental professional will assess your oral health and the extent of your gum disease. Digital X-rays may be taken to evaluate the depth of periodontal pockets and overall bone health.
- Laser therapy treatment: The dentist will use a dental laser to remove diseased gum tissue and clean out bacterial deposits.
- Deep cleaning: A deep cleaning process known as scaling and root planing will be performed to remove tartar and plaque buildup.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from laser gum surgery is quicker than traditional gum surgery. However, proper aftercare is essential to ensure the success of the procedure. Here are some tips for a smooth recovery:
- Soft diet: Stick to a soft diet of easy-to-eat, nutritious foods for the first few days, such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soup.
- Maintain good oral hygiene: Use a gentle toothbrush and avoid vigorous brushing around the treated area. Consider using a water flosser for interdental cleaning to keep your gums clean without irritating the area.
- Warm salt water: Rinse with warm salt water to soothe your gums and promote healing.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of complications like infection and slow down the healing process.
- Follow-up appointments: Attend your follow-up appointments as scheduled to ensure your gums are healing properly.
Schedule Your Laser Gum Treatment in San Francisco, CA
At Young Dental SF Group in San Francisco, we are proud to offer laser gum therapy using the latest technology to help you restore your gum health and achieve a beautiful smile. Whether you’re concerned about gum disease or simply want to explore more modern treatment options, our team is here to provide you with personalized, effective care.
Schedule a consultation with us by calling (415)392-8611 or visit our dental office in San Francisco at 490 Post Street, Suite 830.
Patient Reviews
“Excellent care. Excellent dentist. Superb staff. Saved my life, treated a problem missed for >5 yrs. Good people skills too, rare combination. Highly recommend”
“I don’t post reviews but my experience with Dr. Young and his team is impeccable. I had just moved to the city when I had an injury that affected my mouth. Despite the personal trauma, they couldn’t have been more supportive, caring and professional. It was an experience that has made a profound impact and I couldn’t recommend them enough. Their pricing is fair, the office is clean and they are quick to respond. I will continue to use their services. Thank you Dr. Young and team!”
“Dr. Young and his office Team are exceptional. Patients are greeted professionally. Insurance is processed easily and correctly. Procedure rooms are clean and fitted with up-to-date equipment. The entire office is patient-centered to lend comfort and ease. Dr. Young is a compassionate professional with outstanding skills – all of which blend to give the patient the best dental treatment the San Francisco Bay Area has to offer. I recommend Young Dental SF Group for any dental work!”