How Laser Gum Surgery Treats Gum Disease

February 15, 2018

Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) can be hard to detect in its earliest stage. However, once it advances, it is no longer reversible. For this reason, it’s important to recognize the signs of inflamed gum tissue so you can receive treatment right away. The sooner you receive treatment with laser gum surgery, the better your outcome will be.

Understanding the Stages of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease comes in two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. During the gingivitis stage of gum disease, no irreversible damage to bone or soft oral tissue has occurred. If you receive treatment right away, the disease may not progress and you may not need to receive laser gum surgery. Common symptoms of gingivitis include:

• Inflamed gums
• Bleeding while brushing and flossing
• Bright red gum tissue

When gingivitis is not treated, it can progress to periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease). During this stage of the disease, bacteria from the plaque along the gum line starts to break down the connective tissue and bone around the teeth. Without treatments to manage the disease, you could end up losing one or more teeth as well as bone beneath the gum line. Common symptoms of periodontitis include:

• Tooth pain
• Swollen, infected gums
• Loose teeth
• Chronic bad breath
• Gum recession
• Foul taste in the mouth

Laser gum surgery is a minimally-invasive, highly precise treatment option that can target the inflamed gum tissue in your mouth. When you remove bacteria from the oral tissue, you experience better oral health and an improved quality of life. Patients who receive laser gum therapy have more freedom to enjoy the foods they want because they have less oral pain and their teeth are no longer loose.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you have gum disease and are interested in receiving laser gum surgery, we invite you to learn more about the procedure. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Leo Tokarczyk, call our periodontal practice in Springfield, MO today.

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