More than 40% of adults above 30 find themselves experiencing periodontal disease—a severe gum infection that can even spread to your jawbone. Fortunately, with the emergence of new technology, there is a wide range of treatment options available. Laser technology is one such option that shows promising results.

But before deciding on this treatment, it’s a good idea to gain an understanding of periodontal diseases and what makes laser treatment a viable option.

What Are Periodontal Diseases?

Periodontal disease is an infection that causes damage to the jawbone and the soft tissues around your teeth and often starts with gingivitis—inflammation around the gum and teeth. By practicing good oral hygiene and getting your teeth professionally cleaned, you can prevent this disease.

However, if the bacteria stays on your teeth for long, it’ll start to form plaque, which hardens and becomes tartar. Your gum will then begin to recede, leaving gaps for bacterial growth and increasing the extent of the infection. If the problem is left untreated for too long, then your tooth will start to loosen and maybe even fall out.

At this point, only professionals like Patriot Family Dental can help. Once you notice persistent bad breath, painful chewing, bleeding, swollen gums, sensitive teeth, or loose teeth, you should seek medical attention. Some risk factors associated with this condition include:

●      Poor oral hygiene

●      Smoking

●      Diabetes

●      Medications that cause dry mouth

●      Improperly fitting bridges

●      Genetic susceptibility

●      Female hormonal changes

How Does Laser Technology Treat Periodontal Diseases?

Periodontal laser treatments focus on tissue preservation, regeneration, and bone building.

The process starts with your dentist using a laser to access the inflamed gums around your teeth and removing the germs and bacteria in the infected pockets, leaving the teeth roots exposed. Then an ultrasonic scale remover will be used to get rid of the tartar. Once that’s done, the laser will be used to deep clean the bottom of the pocket and get rid of any remaining debris while also sterilizing the exposed tissues and bones.

By heating the stem cells around the area, the laser energy causes a blood clot, which speeds up the healing process. This will allow the loose tooth to reattach itself to the gum, avoiding stitches. During the healing process, your body will also regenerate the lost ligaments around your teeth.

The treatment usually lasts around one to two hours, but if you need to have your entire mouth treated, then you’ll need two visits.

Post-Therapy Dental Care

The recovery period differs from person to person. While some patients can resume regular activities the day after the treatment, others will need a few days to recover. The extent of the infection, the patient’s medical status, and the wavelength used during the laser treatment are all factors that affect recovery time. 

Every person’s post-treatment dental care is unique, so your dentist will advise you accordingly. In general, you can expect to feel some mild soreness around the treated area. Some people even experience mild discoloration, slight bleeding, and swelling. For the first two days after treatment, it helps to rinse your mouth with salt water to soothe it—use half a teaspoon of salt in moderately warm water.

It should take a week for your gums to heal, grow, and tighten around your teeth. During this time, avoid foods that are hot, spicy, or crunchy and eat soft, nutritious foods. Avoid nicotine products and brushing or flossing around the treated area. Also, when rinsing your mouth after brushing, allow the water or mouthwash to fall out.

Once your mouth is healed, it’s imperative that you maintain good oral health to avoid re-infection. Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. You also need to make visits to a dentist—like the Patriot Family Dental in Clarksville, TN—twice a year to get preventive care and professional cleaning.

Is Periodontal Laser Treatment Effective?

Though there’s no specific evidence that proves that periodontal laser treatment is better than the traditional methods, the fact remains that it is an effective method. The procedure also guarantees more positive results, like less tooth loss, when compared to more conventional methods. With proper care and good oral hygiene in place, patients are less likely to experience a reoccurrence.



The laser treatment is so effective because it helps get rid of the bacteria that causes gum diseases. Moreover, it facilitates the development of new tissue attachment between the gums and teeth, which in turn protects the roots and bones.

Periodontal laser treatments are a great solution to your gum problems. They’re pretty straightforward and won’t take too long. You won’t feel pain during the process, and the healing is also much faster.

Benefits of Periodontal Laser Treatment

Laser is one of the most effective technologies for treating periodontal disease. It has a variety of benefits, including the following:

The Treatment Results in Fewer Discomforts

Laser treatment does not involve cutting the gums or stitching them and also eliminates the need for drills. Consequently, you won’t feel any pressure on your gums during the procedure, and you won’t need any anesthesia.

Tooth sensitivity is also reduced since there are no opened areas on the gum tissues. Patients experience minimal discomforts during the treatment and are guaranteed more comfort and shorter healing periods.

It Targets the Infected Area Precisely

Laser treatment is very precise, preserves the healthy tissues of the gum, and causes less trauma to the surrounding areas. It involves using a laser to clear off tartar deposits under the infected gum line and get rid of the bacteria stuck firmly on your teeth roots. This also prepares your gum tissues for reattachment. Even with a severe bacterial infection, the treatment will help promote a better outcome in the long run.

Some patients with gingivitis might suffer from gum bleeding and bone loss. But with laser treatment, the removal of the bacteria will stop the bone loss and save your teeth. It also reduces the bleeding and swelling of your gums, eliminating the need for further treatment, like gum surgery.

Faster Healing Time

Since the treatment doesn’t damage the surrounding healthy gum tissues and only focuses on the infected ones, it reduces recovery time. With laser treatment, you might need anything from a day to a week to recover. Whereas with invasive treatment procedures, it’ll take two to four weeks to recover.

It’s a Safe Procedure

Periodontal laser treatment is safe and can be used to treat anyone, even those with underlying issues like diabetes and HIV. Even people taking strong medication are eligible. It’s perfect for anxious patients with a fear of needles as it doesn’t involve cutting or suturing. This lack of surgical wounds also lowers the chances of postoperative infections. Also, your dentist won’t use many tools during the procedure, and the laser will disinfect the gum area, further lowering the risks of infection.

It Offers a Long-Lasting Solution

In general, laser treatment is a high-quality treatment that offers exceptional results within the shortest period of time. Of course, based on the severity of the infection, your dentist can adjust the wavelength and power of the laser accordingly. This means that your dentist can and will tailor all aspects of the treatment to fit your specific needs, ensuring you get the best results.

Fewer Diet Restrictions

While more traditional procedures require you to stick to a soft diet for weeks after the procedure, this is not the case with laser treatment. The diet restrictions only last for a couple of days. Soon, you’ll feel healthy enough to resume your usual eating habits.

The Cost and Insurance Coverage

The cost for this treatment will vary depending on the severity of your condition and the extent of your needs. First, your dentist will assess the degree of your infection and then only state a price. In general, you can expect to pay anything between $2,000 and $8,000. You might also have to pay the consultation and X-ray fees, so remember to confirm the price with your dentist.

If you have insurance, it’ll help you cover some of the costs. So before you go for the treatment, make sure to check whether your insurer covers periodontal treatments. You’ll also need to confirm if there are any restrictions on the reimbursement, according to the treatment type.

Neglecting your oral health can cause you many problems down the line, so remember to maintain your oral hygiene and prevent the bacteria in your mouth from destroying your gum and jawbone.

Though there are many treatment options for periodontal diseases, if you’re someone who wants to avoid the pain that comes with traditional gum surgery, then periodontal laser treatment is the best solution for you. It is less invasive, less painful, and results in healthier gums and teeth. If need be, you can even combine the procedure with other traditional methods.

Be sure to contact Patriot Family Dental for all your dental needs, especially if you are searching for a top periodontist in Clarksville, TN.